Semester Long Martian Research Project

Erin Kraal,

This activity is part of the On the Cutting Edge Exemplary Teaching Activities collection and has been reviewed by 1 other review process (view details)

This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Exemplary Teaching Collection

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Initial Publication Date: August 8, 2014 | Reviewed: December 29, 2014 (see revision history: 2 events)

Summary

These project materials scaffold students through a semester-long, original research project. This specific project was developed using the online planetary science database JMARS. Weekly assignments guide introductory students through developing, researching, and presenting original research.

Mars | College Lower (13-14)

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Context

Audience

Introductory planetary science course that includes science majors, education majors, and some general education students. The course has 2 hours per week of lecture to cover the formation and evolution of the planets in our solar system. It also has a 2 hour per week lab in an astronomy computer lab.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

The activity assumes basic knowledge of the microsoft suite (excel and powerpoint) and basic library skills. All other skills are integrated into the labs, research project assignments, or class lectures.

How the activity is situated in the course

This is a semester long project that replaced the 15 two hour 'mini labs' previously in the course. The project comprised half of the allocated course time and half of the allocated course grade.