F.S.I. (Fire Scene Investigation) Background Photo

The year is 2037 and NASA has established a lunar outpost to enable lunar and Martian exploration, mining and astronomical observations of deep space.

Duration: 60 Minutes

Teacher Site

Educational Categories:

  • Math
  • Statistics

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e-Missions.net: F.S.I. (Fire Scene Investigation)

The year is 2037 and NASA has established a lunar outpost to enable lunar and Martian exploration, mining and astronomical observations of deep space. Our astronaut crew at this lunar outpost routinely checks each module on the base. During a routine check to record thermal data on one of our storage units, an astronaut detects a fire in progress! Investigation Specialists calculate various components of the fire. The CO2 & O2 Specialists use an on-line Fire Simulator that yields data. They calculate the mean, median and mode for the data given and then graph a box and whiskers plot for each run of the simulator trying to determine a central tendency for the data. Students use math skills and statistics to determine the cause of the fire and to make recommendations for fire suppression on the moon. The Communications Specialists report all information to Mission Control and update the data received from their teams using the Mission Control Board.

Standards

 mean, median, mode, box-and-whiskers plots, area and volume, risk management, graphing, graph interpretation, math in everyday life.

Technical Requirements

  1. Videoconferencing system with monitor or LCD:

    • The videoconferencing system can be a dedicated videoconferencing unit, by manufacturers such as Polycom®, Tandberg™, or VTEL®, or it can be an extra computer equipped with a webcam, microphone, speakers, and videoconferencing software, such as Skype™.

    • The videoconferencing system should be connected to a large screen (either a monitor, a large TV, or an LCD projector). The image should be displayed in the front of the room so the students can see the flight director and video clips.

  2. Three to four computers per team:

    • The Communications Specialists use the videoconferencing system as well as one computer for data and chat.

    • The Carbon Dioxide and Oxygen Specialists can share a computer, or each team can have their own.

    • The Investigation Specialists use one computer.

  3. Internet connections for the above computers and the latest version of Internet Explorer installed.

  4. Macromedia® Flash® player v. 7.0 or above and optional Skype™ (both software programs are free and available on the Internet). The Flash tools for the mission will not work properly without Flash Player 7.0 or above.

  5. Printer (optional). 

  6. Digital camera (optional). A digital camera is valuable for recording the excitement of the mission.

Note: A computer lab can be used, it's just not ideal because labs are typically arranged in permanent rows and interrupts the flow of traffic.

Videoconferencing System
The videoconferencing system can be either a stand-alone unit (such as Polycom, Tandberg, etc.) or a computer-based system (PC with a webcam and Skype™ software).

  • If you have a stand-alone videoconferencing system, make sure it is connected using IP. If you are using ISDN or ATM lines, you will require a bridging system.

  • If you have a computer-based videoconferencing system, you will have to install Skype™. Skype™ is videoconferencing software that is available for both Windows and Macs

Connection Procedures

  • Test the audio/video connection at least one week before the mission.

  • Make sure the camera and microphone are easily accessible for the Communications Specialists.

  • The whole class should be able to see and hear the flight director. Make sure you can turn up the audio loud. Make sure the video can be seen anywhere in the room.

  • During the audio/video connection you will need to test the communications specialist computers. Go to the following URL: http://www.e-missions.net/flashcom/fsi (must have Flash Player v 7.0 or above).

    • Team Name: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.

    • Password: provided on the day by the flight director or technology advisor

    • Test the "chat" part of the Communications Specialist window in the lower right.

    • Test the "data" part of the window on the left.