4.20
The Evolution of a Planetary System.
SETI [Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence] Academy Planet Project. Life in the Universe Series. Englewood, Colo.: Teacher Ideas Press, 1995.
Program Overview
The Life in the Universe Series consists of 6 units, including the 3 volumes in the SETI Academy Planet Project. Each book in the SETI Academy Planet Project is designed to be a complete unit in itself as well as a subunit of a 3-unit course. During the activities in the 3 units, each student plays the role of a "cadet" at the SETI [Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence] Academy, a fictitious institution. (The SETI Institute is an actual scientific organization.)
Teacher's Guide
Recommended grade level:
5-6.
The Evolution of a Planetary System examines one important aspect of the search for intelligent life in the universe: the evolution of stars and planets. During the unit, students discuss their ideas about unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and extraterrestrials; they make a scale model of the solar system; and they simulate the formation of a planetary system using oatmeal, puffed rice, and tea. Students also use a radiometer to measure infrared radiation coming from the 3 types of "stars." They make a filmstrip showing the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, they model interactions of tectonic plates, and they learn about factors that influence climate. At the end of the unit, students use what they have learned to design planetary systems that contain habitable planets, transform their individual planets into life-sustaining worlds, and create continental and climate maps of their planets.
Organized in 14 "missions" or chapters, the activities in The Evolution of a Planetary System take about 4 weeks to complete. The guide includes background information, directions for activities, discussion ideas, extensions, and reproducible blackline masters for student logbooks.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; change, constancy, and measurement; evolution and equilibrium.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE: Structure of the earth system; earth's history; earth in the solar system.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Understandings about science and technology.
HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE: Science as a human endeavor; nature of science.
Price:
$25.50 (ISBN 1-56308-324-8).
Publisher/supplier:
Teacher Ideas Press.
Materials:
Available locally, or from commercial suppliers.
Topic Index listings linked to this entry
Use these listings to find related entries.
Climate, Environmental Sciences: Earth's Ecosystems, ~ Global Awareness for Students (GAS): Studies in Climate, ~ Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast: Teacher's Resource Manual, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth's Weather, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, Global Climates--Past, Present, and Future: Activities for Integrated Science Education, Multi & Applied Sciences: The Local Environment, ~ Science 2000: Grade 6, ~ Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ Climate and Farming, ~ Earth and Physical Science: Content and Learning Strategies, ~ Forecasting the Future: Exploring Evidence for Global Climate Change.
Extraterrestrial intelligence, Earth Sciences: The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook, Multi & Applied Sciences: Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Planets, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth and Beyond, The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Global Climates--Past, Present, and Future: Activities for Integrated Science Education, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook, Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Radiation, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Heat Energy, ~ Using Energy, ~ Ice Cream Making and Cake Baking, ~ Nuclear Energy: Student Activities, Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Dynamics.
Scale model, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Sun, The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Water, Stones, and Fossil Bones, Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ A Sunken Ship.
Solar system, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Sun, Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Global Climates--Past, Present, and Future: Activities for Integrated Science Education, ~ The Great Solar System Rescue, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ Thematic Applications: Sciences I, ~ The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook, ~ Water, Stones, and Fossil Bones, Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Science Interactions: Course 3, ~ Science 2000: Science 1 (Grade 7), ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Stars, Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Activities for the School Planetarium, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook, Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Red.
Tectonic plate, Earth Sciences: Earthquakes, Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Green.
Universe, Earth Sciences: Exploring Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science Interactions: Course 3, ~ SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Red.
