From the Mouths of Space Scientists: An Introduction to Space Weather

Grade Focus

Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9

Age Level

9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Subject

Science

Technology Integration Activity

Discovering the Internet, PowerPoint Presentations, Video Productions

Estimated Time of Completion

Three to four weeks (three to five hours per week)

Introduction

Students will analyze a primary source interview from scientists and participants attending the Greenland Space Science Symposium 2007. Based upon this interview, students will share what they’ve learned about the Sun and space weather’s impact on Earth using either a PowerPoint presentation or by producing a video. Students will use Internet resources, including the Space Weather Action Center and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Sun-Earth Connection.

Prerequisite Experience

Students should be able to conduct research online and use a word processor.

Experience with image editing software (i.e. Photoshop or Paint) and the ability to capture images from the computer will also be helpful.

Prior PowerPoint or other presentation software tool experience is needed. Students may choose to create a video in place of developing a PowerPoint presentation.

Teacher Prep Time

1 - 2 hours

Review the identified Web resources in Explore and these training videos from Nortel LearniT

Discovering the Internet
Imaging
PowerPoint
Video Production

Project

Students will use the Web to conduct their research. They will usePowerPoint (or another presentation software) or video to present findings and demonstrate their applied understanding through the creation of a PowerPoint presentation or solar infomercial.

They will add images to their final project to help visualize the Sun-Earth connection.

Assessment/Grading

Using a presentation rubric, the student PowerPoint presentations or videos will be evaluated on their content, their application of analytical skills, and their demonstration of tools to convey their applied understanding.

Time Management Tips

Students should complete some research individually as a homework assignment.

Limit the number of slides or length of the video for their final projects.

It’s best for students to work in pairs for this lesson.

Lesson plans have been developed for grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12 by educators at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Sun-Earth Connection. You can find these lesson plans and more educator resources at http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2007/educators/index.php

This lesson incorporates many of the educator resources developed by the Sun-Earth Connection educators from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Complete instructions on how to set up your own “Space Weather Action Center” know can be found at this Web site, http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/swac/

An instructional guide and set-up guide are available to get the “Space Weather Action Center” up and running in no time at all.