Review for:What we still don't know?

posted: on June 17, 2007 at 11:53PM

astronomy

Used it as a standalone independent assignment for a day that I was absent.

For students to understand the issues surrounding extra terrestrial life.

Intro or Regular

Students viewed the 49min video and answered questions based on the video. I Include the questions that I asked below to help start anyone off who wants to use this assignment.

You want to get to the web site and then as you watch and listen to the video, answer the questions below. The video takes up the length of most of the class. It is broken up into 4 chapters. At a minimum I want you to get through the first 3 chapters. I would encourage you to read the questions fpr the chapter before watching it. Keep both the video and the answer place up at the same time, if possible.

chapter 1:

1. How do they find planets outside of our solar system?
2. How many planets have been found?
3. Why is it so hard to keep water liquid? What does that depend upon?
4. Why are we interested in earth like planets?
5. Determine the main point of this chapter in no more than 3 sentences.

chapter 2:

1. Why is it so hard for biologists to predict what alien life would look like?
2. Lifespan of an animal is basically determined by what biological factor?
3. Name some general laws that govern evolution.
4. What is convergence? What does it mean for the life we might find on other planets?
5. Determine the main point of this chapter in no more than 3 sentences.

chapter 3:

1. Did it take life a long time to start on our planet?
2. Do scientists think we are lucky or life happens frequently?
3. Are complex molecules seen in space? If so where are they found?
4. Is intelligence convergent?
5. Determine the main point of this chapter in no more than 3 sentences.

chapter 4:
1. What is the fermi paradox?
2. Are there planets out there older than the sun?
3. What are the possible answers to fermi's paradox.
4. Determine the main point of this chapter in no more than 3 sentences.

Provides visualization or animation, Increases modeling skills, Provides access to data sets, Increases access to scientists, Provides additional content, Increases student engagement and motivation

Well done documentary done through the BBC with Martin Rees narrating on extraterrestrial life. Who isn't fascinated by the concept of aliens? This is an immediate student attention grabber. What is better about it than most other videos is that the science is pretty sound. It worked out real well as a substitute assignment -- kids gave very positive feedback and we carried on the discussion through the next class. Can easily rewind to review material that went by too fast.

pretty long -- hard to get through it all in one class period. Students are passive and not really active while viewing it. I tried to make it more active by using the questions.