AS91415 Astrobiology

What's provided here for you is just a start, and is considered the back ground learning required to begin the research needed to complete this standard – so you will need to do more research yourself

You need to use information from a wide range of sources (videos, newspaper articles, websites, scientific articles etc.)

You need to hand in a research portfolio (evidence of your research)

Milestone Check Points - The timing of these will be negotiated. Use these to pace yourself, be prepared to have a discussion and show evidence of the work required for each milestone at prearranged times each week, this could be done online or in class.

Milestone 1

Look through the information provided on this site

• Make a glossary of terms you are unsure of

• What is astrobiology?

• Select either Europa or Enceladus to focus on.

• Start a reference list from the information provided in word using the reference tool (colour code these references depending on whether you have used them or not in your report – so at this stage they will all be unused).

Milestone 2

• Research the key 'ingredients' for life.

• What is an extremophile, write a summary of this in your own words – include examples of extremophiles found on earth.

• Any new sources you find need to be put into your reference list in word – this will save you lots of time in the long run.

Milestone 3

• A summary of the conditions on Europa or Enceledus that may be suitable for life.

• A list of the possible extremophiles that could exist on parts of Europa and why they would be able to live in the suitable environments

• Explain the key links between the astronomical and biological aspects, that is, why a chosen life form would be able to live in a particular environment.

At least 1-2 more check-ins to monitor progress on the final assessment before submission