7th Grade Life Science at the Observatory: Life Throughout the Universe
Initial Publication Date: September 15, 2008
Summary
As the Observatory Coordinator and Curriculum Integrator at a math and science specialty (middle) school, one of my responsibilities was to integrate math, science, and the observatory throughout the middle school curriculum. I created the following lesson plan for 7th grade Life Science classes at the observatory. I developed this lesson to review some basic concepts of Life Science and to utilize that knowledge by making the students think about and wonder if there is life somewhere else in the universe and what that life would be like.
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Learning Goals
This activity was designed for students to utilize concepts they have learned about life on Earth to determine if their is life elsewhere in the universe.
- Students will define life on Earth by reviewing characteristics and needs of living things.
- Students will be able to describe the four Earth Systems.
- Students will utilize discussions, brain storming, critical thinking, and contemplating on whether life exists throughout the universe. Students will be encouraged to develop their own conclusions on this concept.
Students will use the following skills: discussions, brain storming, critical thinking, questioning, and writing.
Vocabulary:
-Environment
-Biotic
-Abiotic
-Atmosphere
-Hydrosphere
-Lithosphere
-Biosphere.
Concepts:
Characteristics and needs of living things, the four Earth Systems, life elsewhere in the universe, and exploration of space to find life.
- Students will define life on Earth by reviewing characteristics and needs of living things.
- Students will be able to describe the four Earth Systems.
- Students will utilize discussions, brain storming, critical thinking, and contemplating on whether life exists throughout the universe. Students will be encouraged to develop their own conclusions on this concept.
Students will use the following skills: discussions, brain storming, critical thinking, questioning, and writing.
Vocabulary:
-Environment
-Biotic
-Abiotic
-Atmosphere
-Hydrosphere
-Lithosphere
-Biosphere.
Concepts:
Characteristics and needs of living things, the four Earth Systems, life elsewhere in the universe, and exploration of space to find life.
Context for Use
Classroom activity:
Social interactions/discussions, questioning, comparing and contrasting, and writing.
Time needed:
1 (or 2) day(s)/class periods.
Prior to this lesson students should understand basic concepts of life science/life on Earth - characteristics, needs, environment necessary for life to exist, etc.
Social interactions/discussions, questioning, comparing and contrasting, and writing.
Time needed:
1 (or 2) day(s)/class periods.
Prior to this lesson students should understand basic concepts of life science/life on Earth - characteristics, needs, environment necessary for life to exist, etc.
Description and Teaching Materials
I conducted this lesson in the observatory's high-tech classroom - computer, top-of-the-line projection system, "big" screen, etc.
I start the lesson by discussing the Big Questions: Is there life somewhere else in the universe? Can living things from Earth survive somewhere else in the universe? in order to get an up-front idea of what the students think before the lesson begins. Then we define life on Earth by discussing the characteristics and needs of living things. We discuss the Earth Systems and how they provide the environment necessary for life to exist on Earth. On the back side of this sheet I have a graphic displaying the four Earth Systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere) to aid in this discussion, with spaces for students to write down information. We also review the terms biotic and abiotic.
I then put up a powerpoint slide on the screen of the Earth and its moon. We discuss and make a list of the similarities and differences between the Earth and its moon. Then I ask them questions which we discuss - Can life exist on the moon? Why or why not?
We then discuss man's exploration of space to find life is based on locating water and how WE believe that life can't exist without it. But maybe life elsewhere in the universe doesn't need water. What do you think? Discuss.
I finish the lesson with Questions To Think About on the bottom of the page. We discuss them for a short time then I give them some time to write down their own ideas/thoughts on these questions.
Students will be active participants during this lesson - questioning and discussions, with little if any lecture.
There is definitely a lot of flexibility in this lesson - you can make it shorter or longer, focus more on certain concepts, etc. Life Science at the Observatory Worksheet (Microsoft Word 27kB Sep15 08) Lesson notes for worksheet (Microsoft Word 23kB Sep15 08)
I start the lesson by discussing the Big Questions: Is there life somewhere else in the universe? Can living things from Earth survive somewhere else in the universe? in order to get an up-front idea of what the students think before the lesson begins. Then we define life on Earth by discussing the characteristics and needs of living things. We discuss the Earth Systems and how they provide the environment necessary for life to exist on Earth. On the back side of this sheet I have a graphic displaying the four Earth Systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere) to aid in this discussion, with spaces for students to write down information. We also review the terms biotic and abiotic.
I then put up a powerpoint slide on the screen of the Earth and its moon. We discuss and make a list of the similarities and differences between the Earth and its moon. Then I ask them questions which we discuss - Can life exist on the moon? Why or why not?
We then discuss man's exploration of space to find life is based on locating water and how WE believe that life can't exist without it. But maybe life elsewhere in the universe doesn't need water. What do you think? Discuss.
I finish the lesson with Questions To Think About on the bottom of the page. We discuss them for a short time then I give them some time to write down their own ideas/thoughts on these questions.
Students will be active participants during this lesson - questioning and discussions, with little if any lecture.
There is definitely a lot of flexibility in this lesson - you can make it shorter or longer, focus more on certain concepts, etc. Life Science at the Observatory Worksheet (Microsoft Word 27kB Sep15 08) Lesson notes for worksheet (Microsoft Word 23kB Sep15 08)
Teaching Notes and Tips
This is a topic that I've always had an interest in and since I was working at an observatory I thought it would be a good way to tie it all together - life science, earth systems/science, and astronomy.
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Assessment
We used the following for assessment of this lesson:
- Participation
- Completion of worksheet
- Responses to questions.
- Participation
- Completion of worksheet
- Responses to questions.
Standards
7.IV.C.3 - organisms environment
7.IV.A.1 - cells, the fundamental units of life
7.IV.F - flow of matter and energy through organisms/ecosystems
7.IV.B - structure and function
7.IV.A.1 - cells, the fundamental units of life
7.IV.F - flow of matter and energy through organisms/ecosystems
7.IV.B - structure and function