Emergency Mission 5002

Physical Science in Space

Module Highlights
Skills Acquired
Learning Objectives
Contents
State Standards
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Module Highlights

It is the year 2112. The United Federation of Nations’ Earth Space Program has created five intergalactic manned space crafts to explore Earth-like planets in our neighboring galaxies. The space crafts have warp drive capacity and the missions are set to last 10 years. Mission Control, based in Boulder, Colorado, received an urgent message earlier this week from Captain Langer on the Space Craft Andromeda. Andromeda astronauts have located three moons orbiting gas giants in the habitable zone of the nearby red dwarf star Gliese 876 (pronounced “gleeza”). They need the students’ help to figure out which of these moons contain liquid water so their supplies can be replenished and they can return home for repairs. Andromeda sends probes with samples to the students at their school. The students are then given instruction on the design and construction of a diffusion chamber. This chamber will be used determine which sample is water. The students then compile their evidence, create and submit a report back to Andromeda. Only Andromeda will know if they are correct.

Skills and Knowledge Acquired

Understanding of the properties of water
Introduction to distance in outer space and light speed
Understanding of the process of diffusion
Hands-On experience building diffusion chambers
History of space travel and prospects for the future
Presentation Development Skills
Presentation Skills

Image Credit: NASA

Learning Objectives

With this module, Looking-Glass Science expects students to:

Learn about extrasolar planets and habitable zones
Learn about methods to test for the presence of different substances
Learn about the comparative properties of liquids
Develop presentation skills
Understand the real-life implications of the scientific method
Experience, first hand, the benefits of collaborative problem solving

Module Contents

Teacher’s Guide Overview
Materials for diffusion chambers including pre-cut bottles and cups
Suggestions for Supplementary Reading
Plastic storage container

Common Core Standards Met

Math

CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.1

Use a pair of perpendicular number lines, called axes, to define a coordinate system, with the intersection of the lines (the origin) arranged to coincide with the 0 on each line and a given point in the plane located by using an ordered pair of numbers, called its coordinates. Understand that the first number indicates how far to travel from the origin in the direction of one axis, and the second number indicates how far to travel in the direction of the second axis, with the convention that the names of the two axes and the coordinates correspond (e.g., x-axis and x-coordinate, y-axis and y-coordinate).

CCSS.Math.Content.5.G.A.2

Represent real world and mathematical problems by graphing points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane, and interpret coordinate values of points in the context of the situation.

(source: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/5/G)

English

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.7	Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.9	Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take. Anchor Standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.1	Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2	Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.4	Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.5	Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.6	Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

4th Grade

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.1	Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3	Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7	Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.9	Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.10	By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4–5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Emergency Mission 5002

Physical Science in Space

Module Highlights

Skills and Knowledge Acquired

Learning Objectives

Module Contents

Colorado State Standards Met

4th Grade

5th Grade

Common Core Standards Met

Math

English

4th Grade