How can you adapt communications to overcome interference?
Solar storm impacting satellite (MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, Getty Images)
Solar storm impacting satellite (MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, Getty Images)
How does this align with my curriculum?
Challenge yourself to communicate through a simulated geomagnetic storm.
Consider using the Design & Build Process with this challenge.
This activity will help build skills related to the Identify the Problem, Generate Ideas, Plan, Create, Test and Evaluate phases of this process.
Materials:
- Paper and writing tools (optional)
- Recycled materials (optional)
- A device that can play music loudly or a fan (optional)
What to do!
Gather a group of two or three people. Imagine that a geomagnetic storm is making global communications cut in and out. How can you get a message to a partner even if it is interrupted part way through?
- Identify the Problem – The person sending and the person receiving the message should be at least five metres apart. Their communication method cannot involve any technological devices. There will be an “interrupter” between the sender and receiver. This can be a person, or something loud. Maybe a device playing music or a fan on its highest setting - get creative!
- Generate Ideas – Brainstorm as many ways to communicate over a distance as you can. You might need more materials for some of the ways. For others, you might not need anything except yourselves. But remember, no electronics or technology allowed!
- Plan – Pick one or two of your favourite ideas. Think about how they will work. Gather any materials you might need.
- Create – Build a prototype if you need one to carry out your idea. Come up with a test message. It should be no longer than a few sentences.
- Test – The sender and receiver test their communication method. The interrupter tries to interrupt the message. The interrupter is not allowed within one metre of a communicator. Also, they cannot break any physical part of the communication method, but they can touch it. The sender and receiver may need to adapt their communication method to the ways the interrupter is interfering. Try switching roles and repeating the test.
- Evaluate – How well did your method work? What were some of the strengths and weaknesses of your method? Would your method work in different situations?
Discovery
The ‘interrupter’ is acting like a geomagnetic storm. The increased electromagnetic activity during these storms can interfere with radio waves. This interference can disrupt long-distance communication.
Communication is important to all aspects of life. Building resilient communication systems minimizes the effects of events like geomagnetic storms and extreme weather.
- How reliable is your method? What adaptations would make it more reliable?
- Could you send a longer message using your method? Why or why not?
- How accurate is your method? Could it be made more accurate?
- What if your message needs to be kept private from others? Would your method do this?
What’s happening?
The ‘interrupter’ is acting like a geomagnetic storm. The increased electromagnetic activity during these storms can interfere with radio waves. This interference can disrupt long-distance communication.
Why does it matter?
Communication is important to all aspects of life. Building resilient communication systems minimizes the effects of events like geomagnetic storms and extreme weather.
Investigate further!
- How reliable is your method? What adaptations would make it more reliable?
- Could you send a longer message using your method? Why or why not?
- How accurate is your method? Could it be made more accurate?
- What if your message needs to be kept private from others? Would your method do this?