Unit 6: Space and the Universe

How can we use observational data from the universe to predict the future, make data-informed decisions in the present, and understand the past?


About

Unit 6 Contents

A. Unit Resources
B. Unit Information
C. Standards & Practices
D. Task Sets

6.1 - Investigating Gravity with Halley’s Comet 
6.2 - Exploring Orbital Motion
6.3 - Understanding the Big Bang

Unit Outcome

This unit aims to engage students in learning activities that address our understanding of the universe, specifically the nature of gravity, orbital motion, and the Big Bang Theory.

Anchoring Phenomenon

Using the hook of Halley’s comet, dark matter, and dark energy students data mine Newton’s Law of Universal Gravity, and construct and evaluate arguments for the Big Bang. 

Essential Question

How can we use observational data from the universe to predict the future, make data-informed decisions in the present, and understand the past?

Unit 6 Planner

This planner contains links to all Unit 6 lessons, lesson materials, and teacher notes.

Unit Summary

Unit 6 contains 3 task sets which will take approximately 2 weeks to complete. Each task set can be done in ~2-days (block schedule) and can be done independent of the other units. [Task 1 best done after Unit 4-Forces]; Task 2 is best done after Unit 3-Energy; Task 3 is best done after Unit 5-Waves]  If you find yourself with 2-days before a break or other transition, you can insert one of these tasks in that space.

How is the Unit Structured?

Unit 6 contains 3 task sets which will take approximately 2 weeks to complete. Each task set can be done in ~2-days (block schedule) and can be done independent of the other units. [Task 1 best done after Unit 4-Forces]; Task 2 is best done after Unit 3-Energy; Task 3 is best done after Unit 5-Waves]  If you find yourself with 2-days before a break or other transition, you can insert one of these tasks in that space.  

Essential Questions and Phenomenon for the learning tasks are discussed in the overview videos for Unit 6 Full Video (8:27 minutes) and Shorter Video (5:18 minutes)

Unit Resources

Open Access Unit 6

  • This Google folder (English) - houses all documents for this unit that have been updated.

  • Google folder (Spanish) - coming soon

Unit 6 Student Calendar

  • This student calendar can be shared with your students. It is an abbreviated version of the teacher calendar with all the resources that students will need to do the unit.

Career Connected Learning

  • Coming soon

Vocabulary List

  • Coming soon

Tests, Quizzes, Rubrics and Keys

  • These are restricted documents. Restricted-access materials are for teachers only. You must request access. To request access to the restricted folder, please fill out this linked Google form

Unit Information

  • The following are example options to extend parts of the unit to deepen students’ understanding of science ideas:

    7.1 - Investigating Gravity with Halley’s Comet (pronunciation)

    • Whole class Application Extensions of the pattern with gravity-investigating patterns with electrical forces (Slide 13)..

    • Extension: Extrapolate to Coulomb’s Law and the similarities and differences of it with Universal Gravity in the Desmos Activity (Slide 14).

    • Students can research and report back to the class a space topic related to the learning in this task. For example, the recent probes to comets and asteroids, asteroid impacts, asteroid/comet mining, mapping Earth's dynamic gravitational field, and more.

    7.2 - Exploring Orbital Motion

    • Part 1 - This MinuteLabs game/simulation allows students to create a solar/planetary system with stable and unstable orbits.

    • Part 2 - This game/simulation allows students to create a “small scale universe” (multi-body system of dynamic orbits) that is fun and can continue the discussion of astronomical bodies, like galaxies, merging, remember we mentioned this Halley’s Comet task about the Milky Way and Andromeda likely colliding and merging.

    7.3 - Understanding the Big Bang

  • These formative assessments may require that the teacher have access to restricted files. To request access please fill out this linked Google form

    7.1 - Investigating Gravity with Halley’s Comet (pronunciation)

    • Responses in Teacher Desmos 7.1L - Investigating Gravity with Halley’s Comet

    7.2 - Exploring Orbital Motion

    • Responses in Teacher Desmos 7.2L - Orbital Motion with Energy Bar Charts.

    7.3 - Understanding the Big Bang

    • Stations Worksheet for Understanding the Big Bang Stations (one station- station 0, done as a whole class; stations 1-10 completed in small groups), concludes with a pre-write activity to Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, the motion of distant galaxies, and the composition of matter in the universe.

  • These assessments require that the teacher have access to restricted files. To request access please fill out this linked Google form.

    • No additional summative assessments at this time. Assignments for 7.1, 7.2, & 7.3 could be used as a summative assessment.

Standards & Practices

Other Unit Resources

  • Extension: Extrapolate to Coulomb’s Law and the similarities and differences of it with Universal Gravity in the Desmos Activity. (Slides 13&14);   7.1L - Investigating Gravity with Halley's Comet

  • Extensions: Students can research and report back to the class a space topic related to the learning in this task. For example, the recent probes to comets and asteroids, asteroid impacts, asteroid/comet mining, mapping Earth's dynamic gravitational field, and more.