Our Galaxy

MODULE #7

OUR GALAXY

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE: Two or three 50-minute class period (one or two periods for research and preparation and one period for presentation)

MODULE OBJECTIVE:

Students will be able to explain that the sun and its neighboring stars are part of an agglomeration of hundreds of millions of stars that we call the Milky Way.

CONCEPT(S) LEARNED IN THIS MODULE:

The sun and its neighboring stars are gravitationally bound to, and orbit the center of a disk of stars 100,000 LY in diameter.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THIS MODULE:

Maryland State Department of Education High School Science Core Learning Goals

The student will use a variety of resources to identify techniques used to investigate Earth and the Universe.

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES UTILIZED IN THIS MODULE:

Image Presentation
Information Searches

Module Overview

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Components Brief Description of Module Activities Student Grouping Materials / Technology

Engagement Students are asked to speculate about why there appears to be a nebulous swath of light in the night sky. Individual or small groups Overhead projector (OP) or PowerPoint (PP) to post the Warm Up questions.

Exploration Discussion of student answers and assignment of research activity dealing with various mythical stories about the origin of the Milky Way. Small groups OP or PP to show some sample images of our galaxy.
Begin research at: Celestial River or at: Exploring Ancient Cultures

Explanation Students present their findings to the class Small groups PP for student presentations

Extension Students can research the mythical origins of constellations and planets as seen by non-western cultures. Individual Internet resources.

Evaluation Students will be evaluated by their peers on the quality of their presentations Small groups Rubric for presentation evaluation

EXPECTED MODULE OUTCOMES:

Students will be able to place the sun and solar system in the larger context of the galaxy.

PERFORMANCE-BASED ASSESSMENT OF MODULE OUTCOMES:

Student presentations

Components	Brief Description of Module Activities	Student Grouping	Materials / Technology
Engagement	Students are asked to speculate about why there appears to be a nebulous swath of light in the night sky.	Individual or small groups	Overhead projector (OP) or PowerPoint (PP) to post the Warm Up questions.
Exploration	Discussion of student answers and assignment of research activity dealing with various mythical stories about the origin of the Milky Way.	Small groups	OP or PP to show some sample images of our galaxy. Begin research at: Celestial River or at: Exploring Ancient Cultures
Explanation	Students present their findings to the class	Small groups	PP for student presentations
Extension	Students can research the mythical origins of constellations and planets as seen by non-western cultures.	Individual	Internet resources.
Evaluation	Students will be evaluated by their peers on the quality of their presentations	Small groups	Rubric for presentation evaluation

MODULE #7

OUR GALAXY

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