
COULD HUMANS LIVE IN SPACE?
Research into Space Exploration and Habitability
WEEK TWO
Week two goes more in depth on the planets in the solar system, along with researching their characteristics and figuring out if this makes a planet livable. Using a space simulation or live stream will also help hook students into the lessons before presenting their findings to the class.
Objectives
Activity 1, 2 & 3
Objective 1: Students will identify technologies and procedures by which knowledge, about planets and other objects in the night sky, has been gathered.
Objective 2: Students will recognize that the other eight known planets, which revolve around the sun, have characteristics and surface conditions that are different from Earth; and identify examples of those differences.
Objective 3: Students will recognize that not only Earth, but other planets, have moons; and identify examples of similarities and differences in the characteristics of those moons.
Objective 4: Students will demonstrate positive attitudes towards the study of science and application of science in responsible ways by engaging in scientific discourse.
Objective 5: Students will research, plan, organize, present and share their findings in a thoughtful and effective way.
Objective 6: Students will explore careers and technology through areas of interest and passions while making personal connections.
The following materials and resources will need to be available:
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iPads or laptops with access to the internet to allow for research
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A research and facts sheet
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Student checklists
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Space simulation or livestream
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Space Team app
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Kahoot!
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Rubric for planet presentation
Students are taught about technologies and procedures used to gather knowledge about planets and other objects in the night sky. This will segue into effective research methods and appropriate resources for grade 6 students.
Students will be introduced to the Planet Project by examining an exemplar and discuss the criteria, expectations, and rubric.
The Planet Project:
Students choose a planet and through research and investigation answer the question “Is this planet livable?”
Step 1 - students will complete a ‘research and fact’ hand out sheet about their planet, this must approved by the teacher before moving on
Step 2 - Students begin to create a presentation to express findings. Presentations can be multimodal in a way that interests and engages the learner A self checklist will be used to ensure students are meeting rubric criteria.
Self checklists
Formative feedback
Informal observation
ASSESSMENT
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Science 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7.9, 6-7.10 and 6-7.11
ELA 1.1, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3 and 4.3
CTF Learning Outcome 2, 3
BEGIN PLANET PROJECT RESEARCH
Students can explore space simulations that use real astronomical data to recreate the universe. They can also test out livestreams to complement their research.
Informal Observation
Exit Slip
ASSESSMENT
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Science 6-3, 6-4, 6-7
CTF Learning Outcome 2, 3
SPACE LIVESTREAMS AND SIMULATIONS
Step 3 - Students take turns presenting their Planet Projects to their peers. During these presentations the rest of the class will record what they are learning about the other planets. Peer feedback will be provided at the end of each presentation. The learning task overall will be assessed using a rubric.
Students should come to the conclusion that the most habitable planet, besides earth, is Mars.
Game of Kahoot! to review concepts.
Peer assessment - Two stars and a wish
Summative assessment
ASSESSMENT
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Science 6-2, 6-4, 6-7.9 and 6-7.10
ELA 1.1 and 4.3
CTF Learning Outcome 2