Science

It is important for students to study and observe objects in space because our lives we live today are greatly enhanced by the use of technology and advances that have been made due to space exploration. In learning about space, students will focus on the contributions of space science to the quality of human life. It is also fascinating to learn about phenomena that result from the bodies in space.

Students will explore the bodies in space and study their size, position and motion in order to gain an understanding that Earth is a part of a large interrelated system. Students will also discover that technological and scientific advances that enable humans to study space affect our lives.

It is important for students to be able to relate what they are learning to society and the environment. Learning about Canadian astronauts and evaluating the social and environmental costs and benefits of space exploration is important for students because it helps them understand the unknown universe. They are able to see where many advances came from and can see the technology, experiments, and data that are obtained from space exploration. They are also able to determine if space exploration is worth the risk and costs. Through this, they can build their own opinions.

As with all unit plans, students will demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts such as being able to identify components of the solar system and bodies in the universe. This is important for students to learn because they are exposed to these components in everyday life. They will be able to apply their knowledge to natural phenomena that occur in their lives.

As stated in the Ministry of Education Curriculum document, students are able to acquire critical thinking skills and enhance their literacy skills in the Science and Technology program. Students will be required to think about ideas and situations in order to understand them completely, which includes the implications and judgments. Students will use important skills such as questioning, predicting, hypothesizing, analyzing, synthesizing, examining opinions and identifying values and issues. Students who are able to think critically are able to read and view reports from a variety of sources and are able to assess how fairly facts have been reported. They are able to produce their own interpretation of the issue.  Students are also able to enhance their literacy skills throughout the unit because of the use of oral communication, reading and writing. They will be able to gain new learning in Science, particularly about Space, and they will be able to communicate their understanding of what they have learned. 

The time line for this unit will be three weeks. The class will be involved in the unit each day, Monday to Friday, for 60 minutes. The lessons will take place during the regular scheduled Science periods.