Learning Objectives All Translate advantages of big telescopes to the human eye. Comprehend that visible light and radio waves show different phenomena. Interpreting data [either from practical activity, or provided information] to collect meaningful results. Most Mathematically analysing results to conclude properties of an exoplanet. Some Evaluating analysis method to identify underlying assumptions and their potential impacts on the conclusions [extension activity]. Suggested timeline of activities (times dependent on group) Time & Slide Activity details Teaching notes Differentiation Activity Ask pupils to guess how many planets Some pupils may be unfamiliar there are in our Pupils could record their guesses in a number of ways, e.g. post-it notes, with the term ‘galaxy’. Milky Way galaxy. mini-whiteboards. They could discuss in groups or answer individually. 0-3 mins A galaxy is a collection of many 1 Define term It is currently not known how many planets there are in the Milky Way, stars, bound by gravity. Our Starter ‘exoplanet’ as a but it is estimated to be upwards of 50 billion. As of August 2013, galaxy is the Milky Way and it planet that orbits astronomers have detected 929. contains around 200 billion stars. another star in our galaxy. In Part 1 pupils will learn about the use of telescopes in astronomy 3-5 mins Introduce contents generally and why big telescopes are advantageous. of lesson (and 2 N/A In Part 2 pupils will focus on one particular area of current astronomy Lesson objectives if research; exoplanets. They will collect (or be given) data and analyse it intro required). mathematically to calculate some properties of an exoplanet.
Learning Objectives All Translate advantages of big telescopes to the human eye. Comprehend that visible light and radio waves show different phenomena. Interpreting data [either from practical activity, or provided information] to collect meaningful results. Most Mathematically analysing results to conclude properties of an exoplanet. Some Evaluating analysis method to identify underlying assumptions and their potential impacts on the conclusions [extension activity]. Suggested timeline of activities (times dependent on group) Time & Activity Slide Activity details Teaching notes Differentiation 0-3 mins Starter 1 Ask pupils to guess how many planets there are in our Milky Way galaxy. Define term ‘exoplanet’ as a planet that orbits another star in our galaxy. Pupils could record their guesses in a number of ways, e.g. post-it notes, mini-whiteboards. They could discuss in groups or answer individually. It is currently not known how many planets there are in the Milky Way, but it is estimated to be upwards of 50 billion. As of August 2013, astronomers have detected 929. Some pupils may be unfamiliar with the term ‘galaxy’. A galaxy is a collection of many stars, bound by gravity. Our galaxy is the Milky Way and it contains around 200 billion stars. 3-5 mins Lesson intro 2 Introduce contents of lesson (and objectives if required). In Part 1 pupils will learn about the use of telescopes in astronomy generally and why big telescopes are advantageous. In Part 2 pupils will focus on one particular area of current astronomy research; exoplanets. They will collect (or be given) data and analyse it mathematically to calculate some properties of an exoplanet. N/A
Exoplanets-Lesson-Plan.docx