Brief Description Objectives Materials and Resources Activity Description Internet Resources

• Grade Level: Middle School, High School

• Subject Area: Language Arts and Science

Brief Description

    Students visit Websites to gather information about space and space exploration.
Objectives

    Students will:

• Gather and use information for research purposes.
• Develop the skills to allow them to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
• Understand the place of the earth in the solar system.

Materials and Resources

    In developing our lessons and activities, we made some assumptions about the hardware and software that would be available in the classroom for teachers who visit the LETSNet Website. We assume that teachers using our Internet-based lessons or activities have a computer with the necessary hardware components (mouse, keyboard, and monitor) as well as a World Wide Web browser. In the section below, we specify any "special" hardware or software requirements for a lesson or activity (in addition to those described above) and the level of Internet access required to do the activity.

1. Special hardware requirements: None.
2. Special software requirements: None.
3. Internet access: A high-speed (greater than 1 MBPS via network) connection.

Activity Description

• Start the class with a discussion of what students already know about space and space exploration. After discussing what students know, ask students what sorts of questions they have about space. Create a list of questions that students would like to answer and post it in a visible spot in the classroom.

• Allow students to explore the factual resources on space and space exploration. Have children keep the questions that they developed in mind as they conduct their research and ask them to record answers they find to the classroom's questions.

• Assemble students together to discuss what they found in their explorations. Evaluate whether questions that were listed initially have been resolved. Discuss and further questions that might have arisen during students' explorations.

Internet Resources

• Astronomy Resources
  [http://www.nasm.edu/NASMDOCS/AIRSPACELINKS.html#astro]
  A listing of Websites provided by the National Air and Space Museum where students can learn more about astronomy. These resources are at a level more appropriate for older students.

• An Inquirer's Guide to the Universe
  [http://sln.fi.edu/planets/planets.html]
  This exhibit provides the basis for this unit and supplies resources on space fact and fiction.

• NASA's Office of Space Science (OSS)
  [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/oss/osshome.htm]
  A listing of Websites where students can learn more about space exploration and the structure of the universe. The page also includes a section on new developments in space science. These resources are at a level more appropriate for older students.

• Space Science Fact
  [http://sln.fi.edu/planets/sci-fact.html]
  This is a set of Web resources provided at the Franklin Museum's exhibit "An Inquirer's Guide to the Universe." These resources are at a level appropriate for most students.

Back to Exploring Space Fact and Fiction Unit Lesson Plans