Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array

Radio Astronomy & Signals Adventure Pack

Across the desert plains of New Mexico, giant white dishes are turning toward the sky… but the signals are scrambled.

Frequencies are overlapping. Data streams are distorted. Galaxy maps are incomplete. Ari Raider has detected a disruption at the Very Large Array, and if the interference is not cleared, vital information from deep space could be lost.

In Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array, students board the Array Rover Tram and enter a high-stakes radio astronomy mission. By exploring how radio telescopes detect invisible waves, how arrays work together to sharpen signals, and how scientists map distant galaxies using data, explorers must restore the network and decode the universe.

This adventure blends astronomy, physics, and data science with story-driven investigation.

About This Adventure Pack

Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array is designed for elementary explorers and connects directly to an interactive online adventure.

Students can complete the Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array adventure online for free, including access to free printable trading cards that match this experience. The online adventure delivers the full learning and story-driven mission without requiring a physical kit.

👉 Explore the free Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array adventure here:
Coming Soon

For families or classrooms that want to extend the experience, this Adventure Pack adds collectible cards and hands-on components that bring the radio astronomy mission into the physical world.

The learning experience is the same whether students use the physical pack or not. The pack simply adds a tactile, collectible layer to the adventure.

What This Adventure Covers

Each Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array Adventure Pack explores core radio astronomy and signal concepts, including:

• Radio Telescope – A scientific instrument that detects radio waves from space
• Dish – A curved surface that collects and focuses radio signals
• Frequency – The number of wave cycles that pass a point in a given time
• Interference – Disruption that makes a signal unclear
• Array – A group of connected instruments working together
• Signal – Information carried by waves
• Mapping – Creating a visual representation of data or space
• Galaxy – A massive system of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity
• Data – Information collected for analysis and study

Each topic appears naturally within the adventure and is required to move the story forward, reinforcing understanding through investigation and analysis rather than memorization.

What’s Inside the Pack

• Adventure-Filled Field Pack (6×9 Adventure Pouch)
• Adventure Mission Card
• Interactive Online Adventure
• Knowledge Card Pack
• Mystery Dig Kit
• Dig Stick Tool
• Cleaning Wipe
• Mystery Collectible Specimen (Gemlet)
• Gemlet Storage Container
• Excavating Adventures Sticker

Why Kids Love It

Controlling giant radio dishes, solving interference puzzles, mapping distant galaxies, and uncovering a real mystery specimen makes space science feel bold and exciting.

Why Teachers and Parents Love It

Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array supports elementary STEM standards through clear explanations of waves, data collection, and astronomical observation. The adventure encourages scientific reasoning, teamwork, and real-world application of physics and astronomy concepts.

The adventure works for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent learning — with or without the physical pack.

Free Adventure Option

Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array is also available online for free, including free printable trading cards that align directly with this adventure. No purchase is required to participate.

This reflects our mission at Excavating Adventures: to make engaging, story-driven adventures accessible to everyone.

👉 Explore the free Dish Detectives at the Very Large Array adventure here:
Coming Soon