Teacher Facilitation Guide

Program Overview
Explorations is a research-based curriculum that focuses on new fields of research and exploration in three areas: paleontology, space, and oceanography. Students view video interview segments featuring leading scientists in each of these areas of 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

Introduce the Exploration topic and video segments. Ask students to share examples of their current knowledge, experiences, and questions related to current exploration in paleontology, oceanography, and space.
View the video segments as a class, in small groups, or individually.
Facilitate student selection of one of the research projects listed below which fits their interests and grade level.

Research Project Overview

Grades 4-6

Student Academic Standards

Students understand the nature of scientific knowledge..
Students understand the nature of scientific inquiry.
Students understand relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Students understand that the planet Earth and the Solar System appear to be somewhat unique - the Earth is the only celestial body known at this time to support life.
Students understand the role of the ocean in the earth's atmosphere.
Students know that fossils can be compared to one another and to living organisms to observe their similarities and differences.
Students gather and use information for research purposes.

Projects and Investigations:

From the Depths: Views of the Sea with Dr. Earle
Dr. Shirley Earle is one of the world's foremost undersea explorers. In her interview she describes the wonder she has always felt for nature and the vastness of the sea. Research Dr. Earle's life, work, and current undersea exploration projects. Develop a multimedia slide show to present the work of this marine explorer. Use undersea photos from various web sites to illustrate the amazing world Dr. Earle encounters in the depths of the ocean.

Mars Profile
Donna Shirley talks about the need for exploration and the possibility of life on Mars. Exploratory missions to Mars like the Pathfinder space probe have already taught scientists new things about the red planet. Research the information we have gained about Mars during the last decade because of Mars exploration projects. Use your information to develop an interactive cluster map that describes and illustrates new findings connected to exploratory project.

Lucy the Magnificent
Dr. Donald Johanson describes the November morning when he discovered Lucy. He knew the discovery was an important one. Indeed, it changed forever the field of paleontology and our knowledge of the origin and development of the human species. Read Dr. Johanson's complete interview in the Gallery of Science. Conduct further research to trace the history of the discovery of Lucy and the new knowledge it contributed. Use your information to create a multimedia tribute to both Dr. Johanson and his incredible Lucy.

Grades 7-9

Student Academic Standards

Students understand the nature of scientific knowledge.
Students understand the nature of scientific inquiry.
Students understand relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Students understand that the planet Earth and the Solar System appear to be somewhat unique - the Earth is the only celestial body known at this time to support life.
Students understand the role of the ocean in the earth's atmosphere.
Students know that the fossil record, through geologic evidence, documents the appearance, diversification, and extinction of many life forms.
Students gather and use information for research purposes.

Projects and Investigations:

Why Exploration Matters: The Benefits of Oceanic Research
Oceans have been described as our life support system on earth. Keeping our ocean healthy is one of the most critical issues facing our environment today. Ocean exploration helps us learn more about how to take care of this critical life-supporting resource. There are other benefits to be gained by supporting ocean exploration. What are they? How might ocean exploration help us find cures for human disease and teach us more about the origins of the earth? Research the scientific and human benefits of ocean exploration. Develop a persuasive speech that supports the use of public funds for exploration under the sea.

Exploration: The Importance of Technology
In both undersea and space exploration new technology has been critical to recent discoveries and advances. Donna Shirley describes her excitement as sophisticated cameras sent images of the robotic rover as it rolled down the ramp onto the surface of Mars. Dr. Sylvia Earle describes the little submarine that took her 1,250 feet beneath the ocean surface and kept her tethered as she freely explored the ocean floor in an atmospheric suit. Research the different types of leading-edge technologies that have aided space and undersea exploration. Develop an interactive illustrated report that describes these innovations and their benefits to exploration.

A Top Ten Paleontology List
The discovery of Lucy by Dr. Donald Johanson was one of the most important discoveries in the field of paleontology. Since then, there have been a variety of amazing discoveries about prehistoric life on earth including the recent discovery of 3-5 million-year-old remains found in Kenya. Research prehistoric explorations and findings during the last twenty years. Use your information to develop a top ten list of important discoveries that have contributed to our knowledge of prehistoric life and the origin of the human species. Add multimedia elements to your list to illustrate these findings and describe your reasons for including each selection.

Grades 9-12

Student Academic Standards

Students understand the nature of scientific knowledge.
Students understand the nature of scientific inquiry.
Students understand relationships among organisms and their physical environment
Students understand that the planet Earth and the Solar System appear to be somewhat unique - the Earth is the only celestial body known at this time to support life.
Students understand the role of the ocean in the earth's atmosphere.
Students know that the fossil record, through geologic evidence, documents the appearance, diversification, and extinction of many life forms.
Students gather and use information for research purposes.

Projects and Investigations:

Our Final Frontier: Exploring the Oceans
The oceans are the final frontier on Earth. Scientists have recently started a new era of ocean exploration. Dr. Shirley Earle's work is part of this effort. Exploring the earth's final frontier may hold clues to the origin of life, cures for human disease, answers to questions about how to achieve sustainable use of our oceans, and information to protect the endangered species in the sea. Research Dr. Earle's work and other leading ocean exploration projects currently in progress. Develop a three-page website plan that highlights exciting exploration projects, technologies that make these projects possible, and findings that add to our knowledge of this final frontier.

Mars Visions: The Case for Mars Exploration
Review the complete interview with Donna Shirley that describes her exploratory work of the planet Mars. Why is it important to validate the existence of life on Mars? What will it take to move the exploration further to a manned flight to the red planet? What are the risks? What might be the benefits from this type of space exploration? Research past, current, and proposed Mars-related space exploration projects. Use your information to develop an argument either for or against continued or increased spending for Mars exploration. Present your argument in the form of a newspaper editorial.

Our Ancient Family Tree
Dr. Donald Johanson's discovery of Lucy provided us with a link in our ancient family tree. Current explorations by paleontologists worldwide continue to add to our understanding of how our human family tree developed. Research recent findings in the area of human origins. Use your information to develop a multimedia ancient family tree that demonstrates your understanding of the key discoveries and their importance.

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