Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands
CORE MATERIALS
Asteroid!
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Program Overview
The Full Option Science System (FOSS) program is a K-6 science curriculum consisting of 27 stand-alone modules. The 8 modules for grades 5-6 are organized under topics in the life, physical, and earth sciences and in scientific reasoning and technology. They can be used in any order. The FOSS program is designed to engage students in scientific concepts through multisensory, hands-on laboratory activities. All modules of the program incorporate 5 unifying themes--(1) pattern, (2) structure, (3) interaction, (4) change, and (5) system. The components of a FOSS module are a teacher's guide and a kit of materials.
Teacher's Guide
Recommended grade level:
5-6.
This module focuses on solar energy and the variables that affect solar energy transfer. During the unit, students chart changes in the size and position of shadows as the relative position of the sun changes; they investigate temperature changes in equal amounts of water, sand, dry soil, and wet soil when the sun shines on them; and they relate the temperature differences to the properties of the materials. Students then conduct controlled experiments to test the effect of 3 variables on the collection of solar energy by solar water heaters. (The variables are the color of the solar collector, its being covered or uncovered, and its surface area.) Finally, they assemble model solar homes, looking for the most efficient way to heat them. Throughout the unit students organize data on charts and graphs to establish relationships between variables.
Solar Energy contains 4 multipart activities, requiring about 12 class sessions of 30 to 60 minutes each. The teacher's guide includes a module overview, the 4 individual activity folios, duplication masters (in English and Spanish) for student sheets, and an annotated bibliography. Science background information, detailed instructions on planning for and conducting each activity, an extensive assessment component, and extensions for integration and enrichment are provided.
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.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Transfer of energy.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE: Structure of the earth system; earth in the solar system.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Abilities of technological design; understandings about science and technology.
SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Science and technology in society.
Prices:
Teacher's guide (ISBN 0-7826-0087-5), $101. Complete module, $415.
Publisher/supplier:
Delta Education.
Materials:
Available locally, from commercial suppliers, or in kit.
