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THE COSMOS
Program Overview
The Cosmos is a science research-based curriculum. Students view video interview segments with leaders in the field of space exploration. These interviews serve as a springboard for students' own research. A list of online resources is provided to support student research.
Viewing/Facilitation Strategies
- Introducethe cosmos topic and video segments. Ask students to share examples of their current knowledge, experiences, and questions related to the universe.
- Viewthe video segments as a class, in small groups, or individually.
- Faciliate student selection of one of the research projects listed below which fits their interests and grade level.
Student Academic Standards
- Students understand essential ideas about the composition of the universe and the Earth's place in it.
- Students understand that the universe consists of many billions of galaxies and that incomprehensible distances separate these galaxies and stars from one another and from the Earth.
- Students understand that the planet Earth and our Solar System appear to be somewhat unique, although similar systems might yet be discovered in the universe.
The International Space Station Project
ISS or the International Space Station is a home in space to scientists from many different countries. It is the biggest spacecraft ever flown. How big is it? How fast is it flying? What is it like to live on it for weeks at a time? What physical effects do scientists experience after a space station stay? What is its purpose? What scientific experiments are conducted on the space station? How do these experiments help us better understand the cosmos? Imagine that you are a reporter sent to the International Space Station to gather information. Your editor has charged you with writing an article that is supportive of providing on-going funding to keep the International Space Station flying.
How Big is the Cosmos?
How big is the Universe? Does it go on and on and never end? Does it have an edge? What do scientists know about the visible universe that can be seen? What do scientist's think is beyond what they can see? Research this question and create a multimedia presentation that introduces your class to facts and theories about the size of the cosmos.
Riding a Rocket: The First American in Space
Admiral Alan Shephard Jr. describes the excitement of becoming the first American in Space. The rocket that took him into space was very different that the current rockets that launch the space shuttle into orbit. Research Alan Shephard's achievement. Create a special edition newspaper that covers a variety of stories about the first time an American went into space. Include stories and articles that cover both the human drama and the scientific achievement.
Student Academic Standards
- Students understand essential ideas about the composition of the universe and the Earth's place in it.
- Students understand that the universe consists of many billions of galaxies and that incomprehensible distances separate these galaxies and stars from one another and from the Earth.
- Students understand that the planet Earth and our Solar System appear to be somewhat unique, although similar systems might yet be discovered in the universe.
- Students understand that although the origin of the universe remains one of the greatest questions in science, current scientific evidence supports the Big Bang theory.
Planet Hunting: What Lurks in the Outer Solar System?
Scientists believe it is just a matter of time before astronomers follow in Dr. Clyde Tombaugh's steps and find something as big as the planet Pluto beyond the reaches of the solar system. Research the amazing scientific journey that led Dr. Tombaugh to Pluto. Research current efforts to discover new planets by the planet-hunters of today. Find out how new technologies and theories are helping scientists in their planet quest as they go further out into the solar system and beyond its reaches. Develop a multimedia presentation that compares Dr. Tombaugh's discovery of Pluto with 21st Century planet hunters' explorations and methods.
The Case for Life on Mars
Donna Shirley from the Mars Exploration Program speaks of the possibility of life on Mars. To scientists, the prospect of finding even the tiniest of life forms on the red planet is exciting. For this reason, scientists have launched projects, like the Odyssey program, that promise to tell us more about Mars. It's even possible that new discoveries will make a future manned expedition to Mars possible. It won't be easy. Your research project is to investigate what scientists currently know about Mars that supports the theory that there is life on this barren planet. Include evidence collected from recent exploration programs like the Odyssey project that land on Mars to look for water, map chemical elements, and analyze the radiation in the environment. Present your research in the form of a multimedia essay.
The Big Bang Space Dictionary
The terms used to describe events and phenomena in our Cosmos are often amazing in themselves. What is the big bang? A supernova? A quasar? A black hole? Develop a list of 10-20 interesting terms that relate to the history of the universe. Create a multimedia dictionary presentation that defines and illustrates these unique words from outer space.
Student Academic Standards
- Students understand essential ideas about the composition of the universe and the Earth's place in it.
- Students understand that although the origin of the universe remains one of the greatest questions in science, current scientific evidence supports the Big Bang theory.
- Students understand that evidence suggests that our universe is expanding.
- Students understand the ongoing processes involved in start formation and destruction.
- Students understand ways in which technology has increased our understanding of the universe.
Are We Alone in the Universe?
Scientists, from Copernicus's discovery that the Earth orbited the sun and not the other way around, have continued to find that our solar system's place in the universe is not unique at all. There are billions of galaxies, stars like our sun, and likely many planet systems. Whether there is another planet in the universe like the Earth that has the unique conditions to support life has been a cause for wonder and sci-fi movies. Now scientists believe that there is enough of a possibility that there is other life in the universe to justify a scientific search. How do scientists look for life in space? What tools do they use? What have they found out that supports their search? How does NASA's Origin Program search for life elsewhere in the universe. Present your findings by designing a web site with multiple pages.
The History of the Universe: A Cosmic Timeline
Through the centuries, scientific knowledge has grown regarding the history of the universe. As current space exploration projects go forward new information, questions, and theories will be added to this evolving body of knowledge. Conduct research to identify the major events scientists believe played a role in the history of the universe. Create your own multimedia timeline to define and explore these events including the evidence scientists use to support these dominant theories.
The Hubble Telescope:
Almost 400 years ago Galileo opened a new world to human beings on Earth when he pointed the newly invented telescope into space. Centuries later the launch of the Hubble telescope, currently orbiting the Earth, has further opened the beauty and mystery of space to human beings. The images Hubble is sending back from space will change our understanding of the universe from our own solar system to the most distant galaxies. Research the history of the Hubble telescope. How was it built and launched? What challenges did scientists have to overcome to make it successful? What discoveries have already been made because of the Hubble telescope? What are some of the expected new discoveries scientists believe the Hubble telescope can make possible?
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