GK-12 Sensors!
Portable Module

Title: Earth vs. Moon

Authors: Danielle Donovan & Stephanie Pitcher

Disciplines: Earth Science, Astronomy

Introduction

This unit involves comparison between environments on the earth and the moon. It will set the stage for the study of basic environmental differences between the earth and other planets.

Objectives

Students will be able to compare and contrast the environments of the earth and our moon and give sensible examples of how these differences might affect daily activities on the moon.

Associated Maine Learning Results

K. SCIENTIFIC REASONING:
6. Analyze situations where more than one logical conclusion can be drawn.

L. COMMUNICATION:
8. Engage in a debate, on a scientific issue, where both points of view are based on the same set of information.

Required Equipment

• PowerPoint Presentation (Earth vs. Moon)
• List of survival equipment (Surviving a Lunar Crash Activity Sheet) (www.nat.k12.la.us/wf/crash.jpg)
• Answer Key (www.nat.k12.la.us/wf/crash2.jpg)

Procedure

1. A PowerPoint Presentation will be given to discuss the major environmental differences between the earth and our moon.
2. During the presentation, students will discuss how these differences might affect daily activities on the moon.
3. A script will be read describing the crash on the moon. “Following the crash, an announcement is made that the spaceship is disabled, the radio is broken, and the nearest base is 50 km away. Each group must get to the base with no outside help.”
4. The students will first decide individually how they would rank the 15 survival items. (1 being most important and 15 being least important.)
5. The students will now be broken up into groups of 3-5 and discuss as a group which items they feel are important and why.
6. After each group is finished, they report their list and why they chose certain items as a priority compared to others.
7. Teacher will go over what NASA Scientists ranked as the most important survival items.
8. Students will calculate their individual error and group error based on NASA’s results.

Expected results

1. Teacher should be in charge of NASA’s list and why NASA prioritized some items. But teacher should remember to stress that the answers are not right or wrong, because some items would be a priority on the moon in the case of an emergency.
2. Students should give examples of the environmental differences between the earth and moon by giving examples of how each item might effect life differently depending on where they were located.
3. Students individual error will fluctuate based on how his/her team members viewed his/her priority list and how well the student was able to argue for his/her opinion of the priority list.

Troubleshooting

Made for a level II class; can be adjusted for different levels.

Resources

http://askeric.org/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Space_Sciences/SPA0005.html