Exploring Our Solar System

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Exploring Our Solar System

• Christian Legaspi (clegaspi_at_hawaii.edu)
• Lisa Nishizuka (lnishizu_at_hawaii.edu)
• Beau Richter (brichter_at_hawaii.edu)
• November 20, 2003

Background taken from http//www.pd.astro.it/hoste
d/MOSTRA/E-MOSTRA/NEW/A2001SIS.HTM
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Exploring Our Solar System
Identification of Audience
SchoolKamilioiki School Students8th Grade Class
Size27 students CourseEarth Space Science,
1st semester
http//casswww.ucsd.edu/pr.html
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Exploring Our Solar System
Content Curricular Relevance

• Purpose To give students a solid understanding
  of the solar system and its components. Also,
  students will be involved in hands-on projects
  that will build cooperative learning skills and
  require higher-order thinking.
• HCPS II Standards accomplished in this unit
• Measurement St.1
• Geometry and Spatial Sense St.1
• 1.2 Self Directed
• 1.3 Change
• 1.3 Model
• 2.15 Motion and Forces
• 2.16 Universe
• 2.17 Forces of the Universe

http//www.unmuseum.org/planetx.htm
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Exploring Our Solar System
Content Learning Objectives

• Upon completion of the unit, students will be
  able to do the following
• Determine an appropriate scale for drawings of
  the solar system/planets.
• Draw 2-D representations of 3-D objects, such as
  planets and the sun.
• Correctly cite resources for any project.
• Discuss the basic components of the solar system
  as well as the relationship between the
  components.
• Construct a model of certain components of the
  solar system and show how they are affected by
  other components.
• Create a planetary model based on the
  information learned and collected throughout the
  quarter or semester.
• Discuss gravity and give examples in relation to
  objects in space.

http//www.natalbelo.com/aula-astrologica/venus.ht
m
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Exploring Our Solar System
Content - Resources
Celestia This freeware is a 3-D space simulator
that allows the student to travel throughout the
solar system to view the sun, planets, moons,
comets, and over 100,000 stars. The program also
comes with an introductory lesson plan to help
the teacher and students get accustomed to using
the program. The Solar System
http//planetscapes.com/solar/eng/solarsys.htm
This website provides a wealth of information on
the solar system as a whole, as well as the sun
and individual planets. General statistics,
animations, and pictures provided will be of
great help to the students in preparing their
models, brochures, and presentations. Eyewitness
Planets This video takes students on a
virtual field trip of the solar system,
stopping along at each planet to give information
about it. Some of the information mentioned
includes surface conditions, planetary orbits,
and historical interest in planets as objects of
mythology. The video packs a lot of interesting
facts into 30 minutes, and uses footage and
special effects that are appealing to both
students and adults alike.
http//www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codej/codeje/je_site
/about_us/about_us.html
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Exploring Our Solar System
Pedagogy Methods
Gagne Events of Instruction Innovative and
interactive lectures enhanced by resources to
guide students through learning about the
universe and solar system. Lev Vygotsky Theory
of Scaffolding (building upon prior
knowledge) Independent research allowing
students to build upon the level
of understanding of knowledge they currently
possess and hope to learn. Gardner Theory of
Multiple Intelligences Students with like
intelligences/learning methods helping to teach
each other how to use different technologies
effectively. John Dewey Theory of Learning
(being hands-on and experience based, rather than
abstract) Breaking class into large and small
communities of learning to work through
hands-on learning experiences
http//www-curator.jsc.nasa.gov/curator/antmet/mar
smets/text.htm
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Exploring Our Solar System
Pedagogy Outcomes
Presentation of Independent Research smaller
communities of learning teaching the larger
communities of learning Model of Solar System
working in two large groups and using obtained
background knowledge, students will create
realistic models Model of Planet working in
small groups and using applied mathematics,
students will create realistic models of specific
planets to scale Travel Brochure working in
small groups and using desktop publishing
software, independent research, etc., students
will create a brochure highlighting key aspects
of their planet Marketing Presentation
students will demonstrate a comprehensive level
of knowledge about their planet through
presentation and developing questions about other
planet presentations
http//www.astronomy.com/content/static/AstroForKi
ds/jupiter.asp
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Exploring Our Solar System
Pedagogy Assessment
Daily Journal record main points learned in
each day in class or through independent
research Weekly Reflection reflect upon
learning experience during week including
information learned as well as method of learning
Presentations small groups will work together
to teach larger class novel information and the
tools used to discover Final Reflection
reflect upon entire unit as a learning
experience information learned, new methods to
uncover unknown knowledge, relevance, and how to
improve experience
http//www.astro.umd.edu/people/teuben.html
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Exploring Our Solar System
Technology

• The technologies we will be implementing in this
  unit are
• Internet Browser
• Presentation software
• Word Processing software
• Spreadsheet software
• Desktop Publishing software
• VCR player
• LCD projector

• Technology Standards Met are
• St.1 Basic Operations and Concepts
• St.2 Social, Ethical, and Human Issues
• St.3 Technology Productivity Tools
• St.4 Technology Communication Tools
• St.5 Technology Research Tools

http//www.astro.umd.edu/people/theison.html
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Exploring Our Solar System
Implementation
http//voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/image/neptune.html
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Exploring Our Solar System
Evaluation
Student does independent research using the
Internet, books, VCR, etc. Student will show
they can apply mathematical formulas with the
spreadsheet, computer literacy in their final
product. By using word processing software,
students will save progress, collected data,
references, citations, etc. in order to collect,
record, and organize data of objects in the solar
system that are regular and predictable in
motion. Use e-mail to interact with classmates
and experts to ask questions. Use presentation
software to communicate information and ideas to
classmates, and promote critical thinking.
http//amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/fastfacts
/get.phtml.pluto
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Thank you for listening to our presentation The
journey to the solar system now awaits you!
http//www.me.berkeley.edu/mcl/microg.html