1: Try further random number ranges. Each number you put in the random number tile gives you random numbers from 1 to that number. For example entering 20 will randomly generate any number from 1 to 20. With a larger number entered into the tile, the probe will take bigger jumps on the average, finish faster and be less representative. You want to find a good compromise between speed and a reliable sample. Remember to look at the results for any number you enter several times to get a good sense of the result because it will be different every time.
Before trying the Challenges below, you should read this section. You can take the activity apart, which is the power of Squeak. Click on the Playing button at the left for a introduction to how Squeak works, if you haven't done this already. You must click Escape Browser and your resolution must be set at 1024x768 to view this properly. Go to Squeakland for tutorials and more information on using Squeak. Again, taking it apart and even breaking it is a good way to learn. No matter how bad a mess you make, you can always get back to the original activity by exiting Squeak and starting over, so don't worry.
2: Test the probe by using the drawing tool to create a square or rectangular object of a single color. Use the probe to see how many pixels it contains. You will have to learn more about how the script works and moidify the script slightly. Explore and have fun taking the script apart. You can obtain the objects size by creating a viewer and looking at its geometry category. The objects length and width will be given in pixels and by multiplying the two, you can obtain the area in pixels. The Object Catalog on the left of the Supplies tab has a ruler in the useful category. You could also use this. You may be able to devise other ways to test the probe - be creative.
3: Determine the area in square kilometers for each color (or deforested area). Use the scale to the right of the map and the suggestions in number 3 above to help you. Remember that multiplying the two sides of a rectangle together gives you the area of the rectangle. From the scale, you can determine how many square pixels is equivalent to a certain number of square kilometers. Use this information in your presentation for greater impact. The actual number of square kilometers deforested will help further visualize the problem.
4: Create probes of different shapes and sizes and observe how well they work in determining the area. Try to understand why they aren't giving the correct answer and then modify the script so they do give the correct answer. This would be easiest to do with a 2 x 1 pixel probe first.
5: Modify the script so it determines the count for all 7 colors at one time, rather than just three. Explore if and how this would speed up the process of getting the counts for all 7 colors compared to doing one color at a time or 3 and then 4 colors.
6: You may think mathematics and art aren't related, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The sense of beauty you see in art is equally important in mathematics. Symmetry is part of beauty and it runs throughout art and mathematics. Theorems have a sense of beauty because they represent truth. Beauty gives you a sense of balance and well-being in your life. The Squeak project was organized on the page to be functional and that often leads to a kind of beauty. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we challenge you to recreate the Squeak Exercise Challenge project in a way that leaves you with a sense of balance and beauty. With the tools in Squeak, you can make your own drawings. Any of the objects can be moved and resized and their colors can often be changed. Click on any object while holding down the alt key on a PC or the command key on a Mac and you will see the halo of handles. Click on the red handle at the upper left to explore many options for changing the object. Go to Squeakland for tutorials and more information on using Squeak. When you are done go to the NASA CONNECT web site to submit your version of the Squeak project and we will post it to bring beauty and balance into the lives of all who choose to open your project.
