Trekkies and Wookies

Essential Question:

What can we learn about our past and future by exploring outer space?

Portrait of a Graduate:

Global Citizenship: Understand space exploration's impact on society.

Critical Thinking: Analyze data and research related to space discoveries.

Learner’s Mindset: Encourage curiosity about space and its mysteries.

Inquiry Question:

How has the study of space influenced our understanding of Earth's history?

2. Inquiry Question:

What technologies have emerged from space exploration, and how might they shape our future?

3. Inquiry Question:

How do astronomers predict future cosmic events, and what can that tell us about the universe’s evolution?

Student Outcomes:

Students can explain historical insights gained from space exploration.

2. Student Outcomes:

Students can identify technologies developed through space programs and their future applications.

3. Student Outcomes:

Students can analyze predictions about cosmic events and their implications.

Skills Demonstrated:

Critical Thinking and Analysis: Ability to evaluate information, understand complex concepts, and make connections between different ideas.

Research Skills: Proficiency in finding, analyzing, and synthesizing information from credible sources.

Scientific Literacy: Understanding basic principles of physics and astronomy, including the life cycle of stars, the law of conservation of mass, and energy transformations.

Communication: Skills in clearly presenting ideas, findings, and arguments, both in writing and orally. This includes the ability to engage in debates and present research findings.

Collaboration: Working effectively in teams, especially during debates, experiments, and group projects.

Problem-Solving: Applying scientific knowledge to solve theoretical and practical problems, such as designing experiments or models.

Creativity: Thinking creatively to design models, experiments, and presentations, especially in representing complex scientific ideas.

Standards:

NGSS & NSTA Safety Standards

Chemistry Safety and Measurement Standards

HS-PS Matter & Energy

HS-ESS1-1: Standard Detail: Students are tasked with developing a model to illustrate the life cycle of the sun, focusing on nuclear fusion in the sun’s core as the source of energy that reaches Earth.

Skills Emphasized: Modeling, understanding of stellar processes, and energy transfer.

HS-ESS1-3: Standard Detail: Students must communicate scientific ideas about how stars produce elements throughout their life cycles.

Skills Emphasized: Communication of scientific ideas, understanding of nucleosynthesis and stellar evolution.

HS-PS3-3: Standard Detail: Design, build, and refine a device that converts one form of energy into another within given constraints.

Skills Emphasized: Engineering design, understanding of energy conversion, creativity, and problem-solving.

HS-PS3-4: Standard Detail: Conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the Second Law of Thermodynamics within a closed system.

Skills Emphasized: Investigation, application of thermodynamic principles, and experimental design.

Resources:

PhET Interactive Simulations for physics concepts.
VR Tours of the International Space Station or planetary surfaces.
Guest Speaker session with a professional in the field of space exploration.

[Our Hidden Google Drive Resource link]

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