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Vast Universe Lesson Plan

This lesson plan aims to teach middle school students about the vast universe. It includes 5 activities: 1) an interactive scaling activity to introduce the immense size of the universe, 2) a solar system simulator to explore our solar system, 3) a PowerPoint presentation about what's in the universe, 4) an assignment for students to present on a galaxy or nebula, and 5) a star classification bingo game using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to learn about different types of stars. The lesson targets grades 6-8 and is designed to engage students in learning about components of the universe like stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

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mecks
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32 views

Vast Universe Lesson Plan

This lesson plan aims to teach middle school students about the vast universe. It includes 5 activities: 1) an interactive scaling activity to introduce the immense size of the universe, 2) a solar system simulator to explore our solar system, 3) a PowerPoint presentation about what's in the universe, 4) an assignment for students to present on a galaxy or nebula, and 5) a star classification bingo game using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to learn about different types of stars. The lesson targets grades 6-8 and is designed to engage students in learning about components of the universe like stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

Uploaded by

mecks
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson Plan: The Vast Universe

Lesson Objectives: The student is expected to describe components of the Universe, including
stars, nebulae, and galaxies, and use models such as the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for classification.

Grade Level:

 Target Grade: 8
 Upper Bound: 8

 Lower Bound: 6

Lesson Procedures: Based on 5–E Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate

 Engage: Scaling the Universe Activity and Discussion

Introduce students to the universe around us—the size and contents of the universe by using
this interactive activity.

Ask the students questions like these:


-Can you grasp the vastness of the universe?
-How can we see stars and planets from earth?
-What are the names of the planets in our solar system (and what is it called)?
-How far have astronauts traveled?
-What has this activity helped you learn?

 Explore: “Celestia” solar system simulator

Solar System Simulator (http://www.shatters.net/celestia/)

Explore the solar system with this interactive program- ask for the students to come up and
teach the class about a planet.

Use “Your Weight on Other Planets (http://www.seasky.org/solar-system/planet-weight-


calculator.html)” calculator to help the students learn the names of the planets and to increase
activity and participation.

 Explain: “What’s in Our Universe?” PowerPoint with discussion


Show PowerPoint and have students ask questions and make discussion upon finishing.

Homework assignment: have the students pick a galaxy or nebula to make a brief (1 minute)
presentation (require a picture and a summary) of their own and share during a class period.

 Elaborate: Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Star Classification Bingo

Have students examine the HR Diagram and plot stars in a game of Bingo. Students can work
individually or in small groups. Have the students write down the classification for each star as
they are called out. Utilize the included game pieces and boards. Students must have at least
one star in each category to win, the first to get one in each category and call out “Bingo!” is the
winner.

 Evaluate:
1. Use the “Scaling the Universe” assignment
2. Galaxy/Nebula presentation homework
3. HR Diagram bingo game can be extra credit

Author: Undergraduate Fellow Ethan Collamer

Please email us your comments on this lesson:


E-mail to [email protected]

Teacher’s Comments:

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