Lesson Plan

Project-basedLearning

Dr. Christian Reimersreimers@astro.univie.ac.at

http://www.virtuelleschule.at/cosmos/

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ASTROID

[1] Arts impression of 55 Cnc system[2] Arts impression of 70 Vir system

[1] [2]

<Extrasolar Planets>

• General InformationThe topic of finding planets orbiting other stars shall be introduced with the question for extraterrestrial life. – Duration: 3 x 50 min.– Vocabulary: planets, stars, Sun, Earth, plants,

animals, humans, extraterrestrial life– Tools and Materials: PC with Internet connection,

Paper, Printout of literature copies (books), Pencil– Aims and Objectives: Students should ...

- ... be able to define life- ... be able to identify conditions for and against life- ... learn basics of the formation and evolution of planets and life

– Students‘ Misconception:- planets are rare objects and Earth is special- there is only life on Earth possible

• Educational Phase 1: Definition of the Project Goal– Organize into Groups:

The teacher divides the class into groups of 3 to 5 students.

– Presentation of the New Question/Problem: Could planets build up/exist beyond the Solar System? How many planets do we know? Which conditions could a planet have? Are we alone in the universe? Could there be intelligent life? Which conditions are needed for life?

– Discussion: The Students collect opinions and ideas (conditions for life on Earth, structure of the planets in the Solar System, habitable zone, Drake’s formula, stability of orbits, tidal lock, …) The teacher provides feedback on the students’ opinions (possible/impossible, corrections, truth)

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• Educational Phase 2: Planning the Project– Discussion among the Group Participants:

The students should create a concrete topic of their project group

The students should select the responibilities of each group member (moderator, presenter, …)

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• Educational Phase 3(a): Project Work– Collection of information: internet research,

literature, presentation slides• finding data of extrasolar planetary systems (e.g.

http://exoplanets.org)• study literature (e.g. ASTROID presentation slides)

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[1] http://exoplanets.org [2] ASTROID presentation slides about Extrasolar Planets (DE)

• Educational Phase 3(b): Project Work– Collection of information: explore the Solar System /

planets orbits, …• FlyPen-Application „Solar System“ • Interactive applet „Solar System“

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[1] FlyPen-Application „Solar System“ (FH Joanneum, Graz)

[2] Interactive applet „Solar System“(ASTROID)

• Educational Phase 3(c): Project Work– Synthesis of Information:

The students should synthesize the collected information (make notes, summarize texts, make statistics, …) Questions: What kinds of extrasolar plantes (EP) exist? Which different ways to detect EP are used? How many and which planets are earth-like candidates?

– Create Project:Students work collaboratively in order to create their project, while the teacher acts as a facilitator to their efforts.

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• Educational Phase 4: Presentation– Project Outcomes Presentation:

Presentation of the projects of each groups with Powerpoint / OOimpress

– Discussion / Feedback: The students should formulate questions/comments

The students should answer questions and make their opinions to comments from students and the teacher

Questions:

Which assumptions are necessary to evolve life on EP?

What do EP look like? How do their stars look like?

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• Educational Phase 5: Summative Assessment– The teacher should assess the achieved statements

and presentations created by student groups and form with the pupils a summative presentation to be published on the internet or on school information boards.

– The teacher should assess the diagrams about EP-statistics and clearify the correct developement of scientific diagrams.

– The teacher should summerize the students‘ capability of discussing and compose a guide for scientific disussions together with the pupils.

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