Ask them to name some types of satellites. Students may not know the specific names of the satellites or may say space, weather, television, or communications satellites. Lead them to distinguish between natural satellites and artificial satellites. The moon and the planets are natural satellites. Each orbits another object.
Artificial satellites are man-made, such as weather satellites.
The sun is not a satellite. Give each student the satellite worksheet. In this activity, students will make a model of an artificial satellite. Review the components of the satellite and their conditions. Have students work together on the conversions before constructing their satellite.