Activities Overview
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Activity | Req/Opt |
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Time Req. |
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| 1 | Knowledge assessment pre-quiz | R | -To determine the students' present knowledge
of the Solar System.
- To raise interest in the Solar System as a theme topic. - To demonstrate the most people have some
knowledge of the Solar System
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On-paper assessment | 1 period |
| 2 | Tour of the Solar System | R | To expose students to the topic area in detail | Internet access | 1 period |
| 3 | Timeline of Space Exploration | R | - To have the students appreciate that space travel is a relatively new event in the history of man, and that space travel events have been rapidly developing in this short time. | - Internet access
- Roll of non-perforated paper towelling - measuring tools, markers |
2 periods |
| 4 | Solar System Distances 1 | R | - To provide a practical understanding of the distances and sizes associated with the solar system | - 60m adding machine tapes
- Calculators, marking pens
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1 period |
| 5 | Solar System distances 2 | R | - To give a further comprehension of the vast distances and relative sizes associated with the solar system | - Long measuring tape, or ideally playing field measuring
wheel.
- Large exercise ball; tennis ball (Jupiter), large marbles (Uranus/Neptune), beads or bearings of appropriate sizes (Earth/Venus) appropriate tiny objects for smaller planets. - Alternately, students could make up scaled planet models of appropriate sizes based on the exercise ball Sun. - Video camera & tape (pref. digital) |
2 - 3 periods |
| 6 | Group further study reports | R | - To achieve more awareness of each planet in the solar system
- To practice oral presentation skills and presentation software |
- Internet access, texts, library access
- presentation software with
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2 periods or more |
| 7 | Cost of space missions | O | - To create an awareness of the general cost and success rates of planetary missions | - Internet access | 30 minutes |
| 8 | Viewing of the Moon | O | - To take the "heavenly bodies" concepts from the classroom to actual observation | - Handout of Moon map
- Borrowed celestial telescopes or high-powered binoculars |
Evening |
| 9 | Visit to Observatory | O | - To further take the "heavenly bodies" concepts from the classroom
to actual observation, part 2
- To appreciate a true observatory situation, and receive a brief introduction to astronomy as an educational and career field. |
- Scheduled bus trip; release forms, chaperoning assistance from other staff or parents. | Distance dependent - trip |
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| 10 | Possible Questions consideration | R | - To discuss a range of possible questions | - Flip charts or presentation software | 1 period |
| 11 | Brainstorming of ideas for topic | R | - To develop initial ideas for the Research Question for each group | - Student journals | 1 period |
| 12 | Review of Phase 1 activities | R | - To review Phase 1 websites and material before refining final question | - Group work. Flip charts available if needed
- Internet access |
1 period |
| 13 | Sharing of topic with class for feedback | R | - To clarify the research question area through feedback from the class | - Flip charts | 1 - 2 periods |
| 14 | Survey Development | O | - To determine the knowledge of the solar system of (a) other
students (b) family members
- To determine opinions about the value of space exploration by these groups |
- on-paper work in groups
- flip chart paper, markers - eventual duplication needs |
1 period |
| 15 | Survey delivery and analysis | O | - Part 2 of activity above | - Duplication
- Spreadsheet/charting software |
Out of class and 1 period |
| 16 | Uses for Funds | O | - To have students appreciate the need for funds in the developing world today | - Internet access | 1 period |
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| 17 | Word processing experience | O | - To provide students with a familiarization/refresher with word processing software and its use for final reports | - Computer workstations with appropriate wordprocessing software. | 1 period |
| 18 | Presentation Software | O | - To provide students with an initial experience with MS Powerpoint or Corel Presentations as visual presentation programs | - Computer workstations
- Microsoft Powerpoint or Corel Presentations software
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1 period |
| 19 | Hyperstudio experience | O | - To provide students with an initial experience with Hyperstudio as a presentation program | - Computer workstations
- Hyperstudio software |
1 period |
| 20 | Inspiration experience | O | - To provide students with an initial experience with the Inspiration program | - Computer workstations
- Inspiration software |
1 period |
| 21 | Video Production | O | - To allow groups of students to get some basic experience producing an edited video production | - Digital video
camera with firewire output
- Imac computer with I-Movie software - VHS VCR recorder, tapes |
1 - 2 periods |
| 22 | Web Site Evaluation | R | - To assist students to be able to evaluate
the quality of a web site
- To develop in students an appreciation that not everything on the internet should be considered at the same standard for research accuracy and presentation excellence |
- Internet access
- Sciencepower 9 copy master collection for evaluation rubric |
1 - 2 periods |
| 23 | Explanation of Final Report | R | - To provide students with an understanding of Final Report parameters | - Handouts | 30 minutes |
| 24 | Resource compiling | R | - To have students make a firm decision on their topic, and begin compiling resources for the work. | - As required by students. A database program on computer workstations would be useful. | 2 periods |
| 25 | Report Planning | R | - To have students in each group plan their approach to their report, using "Inspiration" to create a graphic outline. | - "Inspiration" program on the computer workstations. | 1 period |
| 26 | Task Division | R | - To have students in each group divide their project work into separate tasks for each student, and have each report back to the group | - Internet access, library access as needed. Duplication methods | 30 minutes initial, research as required, report 10 min each student. |
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| 27 | Draft report checking | R | - To enable teacher draft assessment of group project work prior to finalizing | as required | as required |
| 28 | Editing | R | - To provide an opportuntiy for editing and reviewing of their their final reports/ presentations | - Computer workstations
- Microsoft Powerpoint or Corel Presentations software, Hyperstudio software (as needed) - Other possible presentation needs (video projection) |
1 - 2 periods |
| 29 | Presentation of reports | R | - To present, and thereby complete the I-Search Unit | - As required by students for presentations | as required |
I- Search Project Created by Francis Perry, last update April 2002
