Independent Site Visits 7^th Grade:

Newark Planetarium and Museum
Life in the Universe

 

Grade Level:            7^th Grade

Subject: Earth Science

Learning Standards:

·      New York State MST Standard 4 – Science, Physical Setting

·      NYS MST Standard 6 – Interconnectedness, Patterns of Change

·      NYS MST Standard 7 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving

Time Requirements:

·      Pre-Visit Lesson = 150 minutes

·      Visit = 120 minutes

Topics Covered by This Lesson:

·      What is needed to create/sustain life on Earth?

·      water, carbon, habitable climate, etc.

·      Is there life in the rest of the universe?

·      Examine probability

·      Newark Planetarium and Museum

Pre-Visit

·      Purpose:

·      To understand what are some of the basic ingredients for life in the universe

·      To examine the probability of life occurring in other areas of the universe

·      To have the students become acquainted with the layout of the Newark Museum and what they will be doing there.

·      Objectives:

·      Students will learn why we have sustainable life on Earth.

·      Students will brainstorm, debate, and explain whether there is life in other areas of the universe.

·      Students will watch the movie Contact in class to get a feel for what is being done in science to search for life in the universe.

·      Students will become familiar with the layout of the Newark Museum and Planetarium.

·      Students will understand what they will be required to do during their visit of the planetarium and museum (hand out the task requirements for their visit: information they will be gathering and questions they will be answering).

·      Materials Required:

·      the movie Contact on tape

·      VCR

·      television

·      Student Learning Prerequisites:

·      Students must have an understanding of our location in the solar system.

·      Students must know some basic elements such as carbon and oxygen.

Visit

·      Students will watch the planetarium show, “The Search for Life in the Universe,” and address the following topics.

·      Students will explain the probability of life occurring in other parts of the universe (when attending the planetarium show).

·      Students will explain why we are in a habitable zone in our solar system (when attending the planetarium show).

·      Students will explain whether Mars is likely to have had life (when attending the planetarium show).

·      Students will explain how certain cosmic events get mistaken for UFO’s   (when attending the planetarium show).

·      Students will explain what is being done to search for life in the universe (when attending the planetarium show).

·      When they are done at the planetarium, students will visit the mini zoo on the 2^nd floor and examine the different habitats and animals on display.

Post Visit

·      Assessment:

·      Verbally ask the students and review with them:

·      What is needed to sustain life on Earth?

·      What is the probability of life occurring in other parts of the universe?

·      What are scientists doing to determine whether there is life in other parts of the universe?

·      Make sure their answers are correct.  If not, review it with them.

·      Also, go over their planetarium investigations and conclusions.

·      Extensions and Suggested Homework Assignments:

·      Have the students write an essay arguing their theory of whether there is life in other parts of the universe.

·      Have the students come up with a design for an alien from another planet.  Have them explain their features and their purpose.

·      Have the students brainstorm as scientists and think of other ways we can search for life in the universe.

·      Have the students participate in the S.E.T.I. project online.

Possible Questions:

·      Do you think Pluto or Mercury has life?  Explain.

·      Could Pluto or Mercury ever have had life?  Explain.

·      What threatens Earth from sustaining life in the future?

·      How can gravity affect life from occurring?

·      What does an astronomer do?  How do you become an astronomer?

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