Content in this lesson features information about wireless communication, satellite communication, and MP3 Files. Activities include reviewing some of the content in the Penny Search game, designing a children's product, which uses MP3 files, collaborating on a report, and creation of a presentation about the product.

This lesson should take two to five 50-minute class periods. The time involved will be dependent upon what activities you chose to include in the lesson. You can modify the lesson to fit time available and needs of your class.

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• To help students gain knowledge about wireless communication, satellite communication, and MP3 files.
• To help students realize the dangers hackers pose to computers, computer networks, and their own information.
• To interest girls in studies in mathematics, science, and technology.
• To encourage creative thinking.
• To practice collaboration through online connections.
• To make learning about how technologies work easy to understand and fun.

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See what your students remember from Penny's Search about music files and use of satellites for communication. Review basic information about MP3 files and satellites.

Explain that in this lesson, they'll be working with a partner to design a new children's product that features MP3 files. The product may be a design for a new toy, game, Internet activity, etc.

Partners may ONLY work together online and may not be seated together. They will be role-playing the parts of designers/inventors who live on different continents.

Assign partners and seats for the lesson.

Have the students link to their Task Sheets ( PDF - 17KB) and follow the guidelines for completion. You can download and edit the Task Sheet if you would like to make changes in it. Click here to download the Children's Product Report ( PDF - 14KB).

Once the tasks are completed, schedule time to have each set of partners present their work to the class. Throughout the presentations, make sure your students understand the advantages of satellite communication, use of compressed music files, and the need to encode packets.

Note: If you do not do the presentation/advertisement phase of this lesson, bring the class together for a discussion of problems encountered in online collaboration and descriptions of products. During the discussion make sure your students have an understanding of satellite communication, compression of music files, and the need to encode packets.

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Sites you or your students may want to visit for their assignments:

• Boowa & Kwala
  Nice examples of using songs in creations for children.
• How MP3 Files Work
  Learn how your favorite music can be available to you online.
• How Does Satellite Internet Operate
  Information on accessing the Internet through satellite.
• How Radio Works
  Radio wave data
• Kiddie Records
  A selection of free children's music to download in MP3 format.
• What is the Internet?
  A tutorial that includes how the Internet works.
• Extra-Terrestrial Relays
  An article written in 1945 by Author C. Clark about the possibilities of "rocket stations" in space.

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Evaluate students as they work in class:

• Works effectively with partner.*
• Follows the directions on the Task Sheet.
• Uses computer equipment safely and effectively.
• Completes the written report.
• Completes the advertisement.

*In some partner projects, one student will do most of the work. During the work phase of this lesson, make sure both partners are contributing equally.

Items 1-5 should include:

1. Explanation of why MP3 files are popular and convenient to use online and in products. Compression of files should be mentioned.
2. Explanation of how files travel through wireless connections throughout the world.
3. Explanation of how hacker packets can delay communications and how space weather may interfere with connections.
4. Explanation of how music and ideas would be transferred without Internet connections. How would the report and advertisement collaboration work? How much time would be involved?
5. Description of the product and advertisement. The product should make use of MP3 files and be something that would interest children. The description of the advertisement should show how technology will be used in the effort.

Evaluate the advertisement as follows:

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