Space Sciences: Asteroid Protection

Hosted by OSOS , contributed by yairbh on 6 February 2018

Inquiry based learning by the pupils on real life problem of tracking stray asteroids and other astronomic bodies. The learning process is innovative in that it is based on a story of stray asteroids on its way to hit Earth. The pupils have to understand the phenomenon and its impacts, and then find solutions to such a problem. During that process they are to decide what they need to study – in working groups and with their teacher. Thus the solutions that will be achieved and the subjects that would have eventually been studied can take many directions. 

 

Pupils will meet once a week during the year, when parts of the learning process is done in small groups. In addition, a significant portion of the learning is done by the pupils after school hours. At the beginning they will be introduced to the problem and will consider the results of an asteroid hitting the Earth, while learning about and making connections to the extinction of dinosaurs. During the class meetings, they will conduct small experiments illustrating the science behind the phenomena. Then they will start looking for possible solutions. Towards the end of the year the pupils will discuss solutions for self-defending from the asteroid on the surface of the Earth (like shelters etc. - a symbolic "Noah's Ark"). This question will be dealt both scientifically and ethnically.

In addition to the weekly classes, in order to broaden the knowledge of the school community, a special methodology of space-hackathon was developed. These events will include special short “TED style” lectures and a competition between groups of 5 pupils from other classes, led by one of the pupils from the original class. The groups’ challenges will include finding scientific and / or ethical solution for problems related to the subject, and will have to be presented as a model.

During the year there will be several guest lectures on relevant subjects (e.g. stray asteroids tracking, space debris, atomic shelters...), from organizations like ISA (Israel Space Agency), SpaceIL, relevant academic researchers, etc.

 

AVAILABLE PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Parents

Participate in round tables and working with the pupils on the ethical issues raised during the year.

Academic Lecturers

Lectures by researchers and experts from the academy on relevant topics.

Space industry

Lectures on relevant subjects.

Municipality

Representatives from the department of education in the municipality will take part in the events.
Learning Objectives
Learning scientific curricular scientific topics in a new engaging way, Understanding basic astronomy concepts, Enhancement of self-esteem & leadership skills, Allowing pupils to participate in real scientific inquiry process
Teacher: yairbh
Age group
12-15
Students participating
400
Thematic Area: Mathematics

Feel

Addressed Challenge: before reaching the solution of the challenges posed by this activity, it is necessary for students to know the social and technological of the problem they will deal with.  At the beginning of the year, the students will be introduced to the problem and will consider the results of an asteroid hitting the Earth, while learning about and making connections to the extinction of dinosaurs.

 

Weekly meetings (90 minutes each): 

In these meetings, the pupils will engage in learning relevant subjects in physics, biology and chemistry, according to their knowledge to that point. This progress is accompanied by experiments illustrating topics and phenomena from what they dealt with.  

In class

 

Imagine

Weekly challenges (beyond school hours):

The pupils receive ahead of class a challenge in a relevant topic, which they need to inquire and solve and then present in class. The pupils are encouraged to work on the challenges with their parents and other society members in order to solve them and broaden their knowledge. 

In class 2

Create

Hackathon (~5 hours):

special events that include short “TED style” lectures and a competition between groups of 5 pupils each from other classes, led by one of the pupils from the original class. The groups’ challenges will include finding scientific and / or ethical solution for problems related to the subject, and will have to be presented as a model. 

Hackaton

Examples for challenges to be given to the groups in the hackathon:

1. Destruction of an asteroid - proposal for research topics:

  1. Explosion of the asteroid
  2. Displacement from Earth's orbit
  3. Dragging the asteroid
  4. Another idea.

2. Planning a City of Refuge on Earth - Proposal for Research Topics:

  1. Where to establish the City of Refuge?
  2. Accessories for prolonged stays.
  3. Food Supply / Production.
  4. Recycling and evacuation from the city of refuge God / another idea.

3. Determining laws and procedures for life on earth during an emergency- Proposals for research subjects:

  1. Developing tools to deal with fear of asteroid damage.
  2. Stability of the regime and existing laws.
  3. Definition of temporary powers.
  4. Another idea

4. Extra-terrestrial settlement-

  1. A satellite that will be found in constant motion.
  2. Settlement on the Moon / Mars.
  3. How to force a colony in space.
  4. Another idea.

 

One can use the methodology of hackathons to engage students with other topics as well.

Share

Final event (~2 hours): 

Towards the end of the year, and the peak event with the parents, the pupils are routed towards the solution of the city of refuge, Noah's Ark. The final event will be divided into three parts:

  • Presentation of possible solutions, scientific conference, scientific demonstrations.
  • A lecture suitable for everyone, philosophy and ethics in the context of the studied scientific content and the accompanying story.

Round tables with parent groups, children and perhaps other community members. Roleplaying: In each group, each person has a role, possible characters who want to enter Noah's Ark. The children will prepare the descriptions of the characters. At each roundtable they will have to decide which of these figures enter the comfort box, and in the end present the selection of the various groups in the plenum.