- How does Earth’s place as a part of the Solar System affect conditions on Earth?
- How have people’s ideas and explanations about space changed over time?
- How has space exploration shaped the way we live today?
- How can other planets be made suitable to sustain human life?
Students researched conditions on Earth and the other planets in our solar system to develop their understanding about what conditions we would need to re-create for us to survive in space. They then applied this knowledge to a chosen planet and completed an inquiry project. Students also explored different points of view about the advantages and disadvantages of living in space. Following independent research about a chosen space technology, students prepared and presented a newspaper article, using digital media, about the chosen technology and the impact it has had on the way we live today.
Drawing on all they have learnt from the Unit, students communicated their perceptions of the Solar System through visual art.
In addition to the classroom exploration of Space Science, students have had the opportunity, through their specialist science classes, to complement their learning in collaboration and consultation with the ACT Education Directorate Centre for Innovation and Learning (CIL) Executive Officer, Paula A. Taylor.
The CIL is a $5.9 million facility built by the ACT Government to deliver STEM education for public school students and teachers. The CIL is located on the Caroline Chisholm High School Campus. Under the guidance of Paula, schools are able to plan their STEM learning to complement classroom activities with units delivered at the CIL’s purpose-built spaces, including the laboratory, coding room and maker space.
Teachers and students can experience the curriculum that isn’t covered in the classroom at the CIL with access to specialised learning and teaching equipment.
The complementary learning kicked off its odyssey with Paula delivering a presentation about the Moon during specialist science class time in school. The week after, Paula arranged a virtual reality Google Expedition to expand on their work in relation to the Solar System. With specialist science teacher, Melissa Bissett as their tour guide, students could follow scenes from ‘Expeditions to Our Nearest Neighbours’, ‘Exploring the Red Planet with the Mars Rover’ and ‘Trip to the Moon 1966’ on the virtual reality headsets. During this activity students were prompted by their teacher to contemplate and discuss questions about their destinations.
In week 6 of Term 2, the Year 5/6 students visited the CIL to attend an Earth and Space Science program where the students rotated through four hands-on learning opportunities throughout the day, using specialist science equipment and technology:
- Working in pairs, students had the opportunity to experience augmented reality using Microsoft HoloLens to explore our solar system, collecting information complementary to their classroom learning.
- Space - A Super Big Place presentation by Paula: exploring key space terms, understanding our place in the multiverse, and using spectroscopes to observe elemental colours.
- Volcano Models - students built and observed two volcano models, and then compared the models, discussing which was more realistic and why do scientists use models in their work?
- Viscosity and Volcanology Experiment - with background knowledge about the viscosity of lava and how this impacts on volcano formation, students following scientific procedure were able to test the viscosity of three different liquids and then relate the viscosity of the liquids to the type of volcano they would form.
A 20-student augmented reality Google Expeditions Kit is available to schools on a loan scheme. Submit your expression of interest to DSST@act.gov.au.
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