LESSONS ON SPACE EXPLORATION
Week 1: My Favorite Planet
  • Group of 2-3 researched and presented a planet to the class

  • Scoring guide

Weeks 2 and 3: Atmospheres and Gravity
  • Demonstrations of temperature extremes

  • Graphing of force and distance relationships

Week 4: Cassini Project
  • Discuss mission to Saturn

  • Use text-based discussion

  • Write pro/con letter to editor

Week 5: "Lorenzo's Oil" and Science Ethics
  • Watch "Lorenzo's Oil"

  • Discuss issue of who controls information, who has access

Week 6: Mars Exploration
  • Use PBL fact finding

  • Formulate questions to address

  • Use resources/internet to research questions

Week 7: Mars continued
  • Interject Frankenstein readings for science ethics

  • Use text-based discussion for ethics issue

Week 8: Exhibition
  • Town meeting representing all positions
    (scientist, community, government, reporters, others?)

  • Individual component

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