Types of Galaxies

MODULE #6

TYPES OF GALAXIES

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: One 50-minute period

MODULE OBJECTIVE:

Students will be able to describe and classify the different types of galaxies.

CONCEPT(S) LEARNED IN THIS MODULE:

There are many billions of galaxies in the universe, each made of hundreds of billions of stars.
There are several different types of galaxies, classified according to their overall shape.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THIS MODULE:

National Science Education Standards (Content Standard A, Grades 9-12)

Billions of galaxies, each of which is a gravitationally bound cluster of billions of stars, now form most of the visible mass in the universe.

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES UTILIZED IN THIS MODULE:

Image Presentation
Information Searches
Parallel Problem Solving

Module Overview

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Components Brief Description of Module Activities Student Grouping Materials / Technology

Engagement Students are shown a photograph of a galaxy and asked to speculate about what it is. Individual or small groups Overhead projector (OP) or PowerPoint (PP) to post the Warm Up questions.

Exploration Discussion of student answers and assignment of Problem-Solving Activity: Galaxy Classification Activity Small groups OP or PP to show some sample images of our galaxy. Begin research at: Galaxy Classification Activity

Explanation Discussion of student answers and description of how it was recognized that galaxies were "island universes" Small groups Internet access.

Extension Research the Andromeda galaxy and its eventual collision with the Milky Way. Individual Internet resources.

Evaluation Students will be evaluated based on their answers to the PSA. Small groups Rubric, or student self-evaluation

EXPECTED MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will discover that galaxies are absolutely enormous objects consisting of ridiculously large numbers of stars, and that we are also part of such an object.

PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will be able to classify the various types of galaxies.

Components	Brief Description of Module Activities	Student Grouping	Materials / Technology
Engagement	Students are shown a photograph of a galaxy and asked to speculate about what it is.	Individual or small groups	Overhead projector (OP) or PowerPoint (PP) to post the Warm Up questions.
Exploration	Discussion of student answers and assignment of Problem-Solving Activity: Galaxy Classification Activity	Small groups	OP or PP to show some sample images of our galaxy. Begin research at: Galaxy Classification Activity
Explanation	Discussion of student answers and description of how it was recognized that galaxies were "island universes"	Small groups	Internet access.
Extension	Research the Andromeda galaxy and its eventual collision with the Milky Way.	Individual	Internet resources.
Evaluation	Students will be evaluated based on their answers to the PSA.	Small groups	Rubric, or student self-evaluation

MODULE #6

TYPES OF GALAXIES

Module Overview

Unit Flow Chart Unit Description Modules: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Unit Flow Chart
Unit Description
Modules: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8