Grade 6
SPACE LEARNING ODYSSEY
Mrs. M. Dupuis
Created January 2003
Introduction
Our journey together will allow us to join the young scholars in the Vatican Observatory as they seek to understand a universe that is slowly revealing itself in all its vastness and mystery. We will research to gain knowledge in the fascinating and sacred creation beyond Earth. As we reveal evidence in sky science, we are inspired by awe and wonder at the mysteries awaiting further disclosure. We must learn about the characteristics and surface conditions of the nine planets that evolve around the sun, and understand the characteristics and differences between bodies that emit light and those that reflect light, as well as, understand that our galaxy occupies only a tiny part of the known universe. As we begin to explore and learn about life beyond our Earth, we must challenge ourselves to ask bigger questions that bring us to recognize the mysteries awaiting further disclosure.
‘How great is your name, O Lord our God, through all the earth!
When I see the heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the
stars
which you arranged, what is man that you should keep him in mind,
mortal man that you care for him?’
(Ps 8: 2.4-5).
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Task
You will create a PowerPoint presentation to help us understand more about our universe. You must research, question, and dialogue about the various topics and questions. An oral and visual presentation will follow the completion of your work.
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Process
Each of you is responsible to create a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating your research abilities and knowledge using the following format:
Slide #1
Title: Our
Task: Include graphics of the three different
observatories:
The
Observatory of the
The
Observatory at the Papal Summer Residence at
In 1993 the Observatory, in collaboration
with Steward Observatory, completed the construction of the Vatican Advanced
Technology Telescope (VATT) on
Slide
#2
Title:
Bodies that Emit Light
Task:
Define and include graphics for star and sun.
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Slide #3
Title: Bodies that Reflect Light
Task: Define and include graphics for planet, moon,
comet, and asteroid.
Slide #4
Title: Our
sun
Task:
Answer the following questions:
Why is
the sun important to the earth?
What is
the sun made of and why is it so hot?
How
many more years will the sun continue to burn?
Slide #6-14
Title: Each of nine planets in Milky Way Galaxy
beginning with the planet closest to the sun.
Task: Include a graphic of each planet and describe
the characteristics and surface
conditions of each one. State whether the planet is a terrestrial or
gas planet.
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Slide #15
Title: Planet Orbit and Rotation
Task: Insert a table with 3 columns and 10
rows. Write the planets in order
starting with the planet closest to the sun.
Your title row should look like this:
|
Planet Name |
Time of Rotation (spin around axis once) |
Time for Orbit (travel around sun once) |
|
|
|
|
Slide
#16
Title:
Orbiting Planets
Task:
Insert a graphic of the orbit paths of all nine planets.
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Slide #17
Title: The Planets and their Moons
Task: Insert a table with 3 columns and 10
rows. Your title row should look like
this:
|
Planet Name |
Number of Moons |
Interesting characteristics about the planet's moons |
|
|
|
|
Slide #18
Title: The Earth's Moon
Task: Include a graphic of each of the phases of
the moon naming each of the phases.
Slide
#19 - 20
Title:
Space Researching Tools
Task:
Include a graphic and a brief explanation of the various tools (minimum
of 8)
used
to acquire knowledge about planets and other objects in the night sky.
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Resources
TELUS Kids Love To Learn:
http://www.2learn.ca/
NASA Research Site Especially for Kids: http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/
NASA Internet Resources in Space Science for Students: http://education.nasa.gov/students1.html
Practical Guide to Astronomy: http://www.hotliquidmagma.com
Explore the Sky: http://www.seasky.org/mainmenu.html
Solar System Research
from
Daily Updates of Weather
and Attractions in Space: http://www.spaceweather.com/
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Evaluation
You will be evaluated for the following criteria:
quality
of research
appropriateness
and accuracy of information
quality
of visual presentation
effectiveness
of oral presentation
ability
to ask good research questions
For the evaluation
rubric please click here.
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Conclusion
WOW!! We have gained only a small understanding of a universe that is slowly revealing itself in all its vastness and mystery. We have discovered and gained knowledge in a fascinating and sacred creation. Our exploration should have brought us to ask bigger questions that bring us to recognize the mysteries awaiting further disclosure and to evaluate and question as to whether science research is benefiting the greater good of society. As a conclusion, you are asked to reflect and to evaluate how science can be used to serve the good of society or how it can be harmful. As well, to reflect and compose three questions that stem from your wonder and awe that bring us to new mysteries awaiting further disclosure! Conclude your presentation by completing the following tasks:
Slide #21
Title: Questions Triggered From Awe and Wonder
Task: Include the quote below followed by three or
four higher level thinking questions about inquiry into new mysteries that have
been revealed to you.
As we have gained much scientific knowledge of our
universe beyond Earth,
we have experienced both humility and at the same
time a tremendous reverence
for the gift of Creation. My research and study has initiated these
questions within
me about new mysteries awaiting disclosure:
Slide #22
Title: How can space science research serve the good
of society?
Task: Use
bullets to share your ideas.
Slide #23
Title: How can space science research be harmful to
the good of society?
Task: Use
bullets to share your ideas.
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