Essential (Seminar) Questions:
1) How did the solar system and Earth form? Our solar system contains 8 planets in stable, near circular orbits around the sun, one of which supports life. To what extent are the physical characteristics of the Sun the most important factor in creating these circumstances?
2) How is our current understanding of the history of Earth and the solar system shaped by evidence, logic, intuition and authority?
3) To what extent is our solar system unique?
Today, we had a seminar on the above questions. We then proceeded to work on our Little Big History projects: either finalizing our topics with our groups, or beginning on the thresholds of the topic.
For HW for this weekend:
- Essay Question:
- Thresholds 2, 3 and 4 in Big History could not have occurred without the four forces created from the Big Bang. Describe the four forces, then, evaluate the impact of the forces on Thresholds 2, 3 and 4.
- Intro: Describe the four forces while; don’t forget a thesis
- 3 Body Paragraphs: One per Threshold
- Conclusion
- Use textual evidence to guide your writing.
- Little Big History Thresholds Graphic Organizer due at beginning of class Monday.
- Bring this signed permission slip for our trip to the American Museum of Natural History by Monday. The trip will be on Wednesday, July 24th - we will meet at the museum at 11 AM. If you are pressed for time because of the late start, the private tour would, I think, last at the latest until 12:30PM. Official dismissal is at 2, but you could leave earlier if you speak to Ms. Skafish and Mr. Lao about your situation. The museum closes at 5:45 and you can certainly stay until then as well.
Lastly, here are Little Big History documents: