LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

Teacher Portal

Space

Investigation 1 – PreLab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 1

ZERO-IN

Italicized font represents information to be shared orally or physically completed with the students at this time.

The non-italicized font represents additional information included to support the teacher’s understanding of the content being introduced within the CELL.

ASK WHY

Tell students that space exploration provides us with knowledge about the origins of our solar system, planet Earth, and human origins. Exploration within our solar system is important because it provides us with an opportunity to make advancements in science and technology which can be a benefit to all of humankind, such as in the areas of communications and remote sensing. Cellular technology, for example, is dependent on satellite communications. Satellites are also used to monitor changes in Earth’s climate and ocean circulation, for weather forecasting, in aviation and marine navigation, and for military reconnaissance.

BRANCH OUT

Tell students that aerospace engineers build satellites and defense systems. They make airplanes faster and safer, design spacecraft, space stations, and explorer robots like the Mars-roving Spirit.

GET FOCUSED

Inform students that the Investigation is designed to help them to answer the following Focus Questions:

  • What causes the changes in day and night on the Earth? The movement of the Earth as it rotates on its axis causes different parts of the Earth to be turned toward the Sun, which causes day, and away from the Sun, which causes night.
  • What causes the change in seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres? The tilt of the Earth alters how directly the light shines on the Earth during different points in its revolution. This causes some areas of the Earth to experience seasonal changes.

Note: These questions are located in students’ SDRs at the beginning and end of the Investigation.

Note: These are succinct responses to the Focus Questions and are placed here for your reference at this time. Fully developed responses to the Focus Questions can be found on the PostLab page.

GO DEEPER

As a class, read the Background(s) in the Investigation. Have students read the information aloud or silently to themselves. When students have finished, discuss the following concepts as a class:

  • The Earth rotates or spins counter-clockwise on its axis, which is an imaginary line that runs in a straight line from the South Pole through the Earth to the North Pole.
  • The Earth’s axis is tilted 23.5° towards the North Star, Polaris.
  • It takes the Earth approximately 24 hours or 1 day to complete 1 rotation.
  • Earth also revolves around the Sun in an orbit.
  • The Earth’s orbit is not exactly circular but is slightly elliptical.
  • It takes the Earth about 365 days or 1 year to complete 1 counterclockwise revolution around the Sun.

Note: These concepts are integrated into the Background(s) and are used to deepen students’ comprehension of the big ideas.

 

LEARN THE LabLearner LINGO

The following list includes Key Terms that the teacher should introduce, as appropriate, within the CELL. These terms should be used, as appropriate, by teachers and students during everyday classroom discourse.

  • rotation
  • orbit

Note: Definitions of these terms can be found on the Introduction page to the CELL.

Note: Additional words may be bolded within the Background(s). These words are not Key Terms and are strictly emphasized for exposure at this time.

SET FOR SUCCESS

  • Ask students how they know that they live on a planet in a solar system. Student answers will vary. Encourage varied responses.

Note: Answers may include: We experience night and day. We experience seasonal changes. We observe multiple phases of the moon. We observe stars and planets in the night sky. We observe the sun during the day. We have visited other planets in outer space.

  • Ask students why we experience and observe these phenomena such as night and day, seasonal changes, and moon phases.

Note: Student answers may vary.

  • Tell students that we experience night and day and seasonal changes and observe moon phases because of the forces and the motion that exist in our solar system.
  • Explain to students that during this investigation, they will begin to observe why we experience night and day and why some areas of the Earth experience four seasons.
  • Play the video below. Stop to ask students questions or answer students’ questions when necessary. Remind students to follow along with their SDRs and make any notes that they think might be helpful.
  • After the video, direct students to divide into their lab groups to discuss their strategy for the lab. For example, they may assign certain group members to perform specific functions during the lab.

Note: The purpose of the video is to allow students to anticipate the laboratory experience they will soon encounter. Students should leave this PreLab session with a firm idea of what to expect and how to perform in the lab.

Note: Homework is posted below the video.

HOMEWORK

Tell students that they should review the Investigation in preparation for the Lab.