5E Lesson Plan Template

Handout

AUTHORS’ NAMES: Kate Bachus

TITLE OF THE LESSON: Space Exploration

TECHNOLOGY LESSON: No / YES: Yes, students will research future space explorations.

DATE OF LESSON: April

LENGTH OF LESSON: 50 mins

NAME OF COURSE: 6th grade science

SOURCE OF THE LESSON: Stemscopes

TEKS ADDRESSED:
6.3 The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions and kno
ws the contributions of relevant scientists.

6.11C describe the history and future of space exploration, including the types of equipment and transportation
needed for space travel.

ELPS ADDRESSED:

c.1A Use prior knowledge and experiences to understand meanings in English.

c.2C Learn new basic and academic vocabulary heard during classroom instruction and interaction

c3B: Use new vocabulary in stories, descriptions, and classroom communication

c.1E Internalize new basic and academic language by using and reusing it in meaningful ways in speaking and
writing activities that will build concept and language attainment
c3H Narrate, describe, and explain with increasing specificity and detail as more English is acquired.

c.3E Share information in cooperative learning interactions

CCRS ADDRESSED:

1.D.1. Demonstrate literacy in computer use.

3.D.2. Use search engines, databases, and other digital electronic tools effectively to locate information.
4.A.1 Recognize how scientific discoveries are connected to technological innovations.
4.C.2 Recognize the role of people in important contributions to scientific knowledge

CONCEPT STATEMENT: Until the 20th century, space exploration required looking through a telescope.
Satellites have vastly improved our ability to explore space, forecast the weather, and monitor changes to Earth’s
surface. The first successful weather satellite, Tiros 1, was launched by the U.S. in 1960. Other uses for satellites
include communications, reconnaissance, navigation, and search and rescue. By considering the characteristics of
our solar system, NASA’s space program decides what equipment, accommodations, and transportation is needed
for space exploration (from orbiting Earth to putting a man on the Moon). Since space is a cold, airless vacuum,
NASA scientists equip space shuttles and suits with oxygen supplies. Without this, humans could not survive in
space. All space shuttles and the International Space Station have their own oxygen supplies, and every astronaut
has their own spacesuit equipped with its own oxygen supply. Spacesuits are also engineered to regulate an
astronaut’s body temperature, and the outer layer is designed to protect its astronaut from tiny meteoroids, known as
micrometeoroids. These properties of the spacesuit allow spacewalks to be possible. The first spacewalk by an

 2007 The University of Texas at Austin

Revised UTeach Tyler – August 2012
 Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design
5E Lesson Plan Template

American occurred in 1965 by Edward White II on Gemini 4. He walked in space for 22 minutes. In order to
communicate with one another and with NASA’s ground team, astronauts use complex radios and computers. When
astronauts in space are close to Earth, their communications can be heard on radio frequencies at the ultra-high
frequency range. Most of the time, astronauts use satellites to transmit their communications to each other and to
Earth. These radios and computers help astronauts conduct research and repair damaged equipment. Space shuttles
are complex, man-made vehicles, and computers are required to operate and maintain them. While in space,
astronauts experience a zero gravity environment, meaning that there is no force acting on them, unlike Earth’s
gravity when they are on Earth. NASA scientists equip all space shuttles and the International Space Station with
special handles and Velcro straps to help astronauts move (and not move) while in space. They need Velcro straps in
order to stay in one place and not float around the cabin when working, sleeping, and using the bathroom. In 1969,
Apollo 11, manned by Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, Jr., was the first spacecraft to successfully land on the
Moon. Armstrong and Aldrin were the first people to walk on the Moon, with Armstrong’s famous quote as he
stepped out onto the surface of the Moon, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. In total,
NASA’s space program has launched over 100 manned space missions, from its creation to present. Another
advance in space exploration was the construction of the International Space Station. Construction on the space
station began in 1998 out in Earth’s orbit. It is a facility for scientists from multiple nations to perform space
research and spacecraft testing. The Space Station is as big as a football field. As of 2010, there have been over 100
launches to the Space Station and over 150 spacewalks during its assembly. As we expand our space program
through technological advances, we can begin exploring further into space. Many scientists think there is the
potential to establish a human base on the Moon because it is the closest celestial body to Earth. This base could be
used to transport resources and materials, as well as prepare for expeditions to Mars or beyond.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES: Students will explain how technology enhances our understanding of objects in
space and how it associates with space exploration. Students will also analyze past and future space explorations.

ACCOMMODATIONS/MODIFICATIONS/EXTENSIONS:
Extension: Will visit SETI website (www.seti.org) and prepare a presentation for the class to summarize the SETI
project and how it uses the scientific method and modern equipment to scan for signs of extraterrestrial life.
Accommodation: Take out excess info and give the necessary information to answer questions. Give a copy of
teacher’s notes.
Modifications: Reduce the amount of information the students have to gather on the scavenger hunt in the explore
activity.

RESOURCES, SUPPLIES, HANDOUTS:

Computer, pencil, and paper.
Engage: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tCujjAdHs4VkxnvRmTsFwhKQOLhjPbHD6bdVuzOV5-
o/edit?usp=sharing
Explore:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M1AiLvUToI3PveoJxUWU1DBTmWwCtji1me6ydQsCgh0/edit?
usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1czGvi4WnQGe81_IVtrzsHxmeCFHkRauE41sMTB8TC24/edit?
usp=sharing

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5E Lesson Plan Template

Explain: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OldjDlwoZ_4fmKWX6RrpZEnhQw9IKorkq-s9-eofdaw/edit?
usp=sharing

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:
Students are to remain seated in the classroom until instructed otherwise by teacher. Floor space should remain clear
of backpacks etc. to help avoid trips while moving into groups. Do not allow students into groups that do not work
well together. Students should practice safe internet use and go to the appropriate sites. Students should observe
proper classroom etiquette while working in groups.

ENGAGEMENT Est. Time: __5______

What the Teacher Will Do
Teacher will show students two
pictures of the moon. One will be
shown as if it appears to the naked
eye and one appears as if it was
being seen through a telescope.
The teacher will distribute a deck of
playing cards. Each student will get
1 card. The teacher will have a new
deck of cards and whatever card she
pulls, the student with the
corresponding card will answer the
question.
Probing Questions and Answers What the Student Will Do
1. What properties of the Students will observe two images;
moon can you observe in one close up image of the moon and
image 1? Image 2? one that would be seen from the
2. What allows you to observe naked eye.
more properties in image 2
vs. image 1?
3. What tools would an
astronomer use to observe
and study objects in space
such as the moon, planet or
stars

T: Let’s explore some famous space explorations.

EXPLORATION Est. Time: ____10____

What the Teacher Will Do
The teacher will hang up various
pages of the student reference sheet
around the room and allow the
students to visit each of the 5 stops
in groups or as an individual.
Probing Questions and Answers
What technology or equipment is
being used in these explorations?
What allows humans to study and
travel into space?
What the Student Will Do
The students will walk around the
room and fill out the required
information in their explore journal.

...add rows to this

table as needed.

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5E Lesson Plan Template

EXPLANATION Est. Time: _10____

What the Teacher Will Do
The teacher will ask the students
what they learned from looking at
different famous space explorations
and will clear up any
misconceptions.
The teacher will pull cards from the
deck and ask the student with that
card a question.
Probing Questions and Answers
What type of scientific device
Galileo use to discover Jupiter’s
moons?
Do you think humans could ever live
on the moon?
What the Student Will Do
Students will be called on if their
card is drawn from the stack of cards
the teacher has.
Students will read background
information or space exploration and
answer questions.

Teacher will have students read

background information or space
exploration and answer questions.

...add rows to this

table as needed.
T: Now let’s research future space explorations.

ELABORATION Est. Time: _____20_

What the Teacher Will Do
Teacher will have students work in
groups to research one project that is
being planned for space exploration.
Groups will be picked based on
seating chart. Students will work in
groups of 3.
Probing Questions and Answers
What technology will you use and
why?
What are some problems you might
face as an astronaut?
Where are you travelling and why?
What the Student Will Do
Students will group up and research
a future space exploration project.
Students will be using their laptops
for research and to answer the
questions.

Each student will take on a specific

role and have a responsibility to the
group.
1. The Facilitator – leads
discussion, helps clarify
points, makes sure
everyone’s ideas are heard.
2. The Recorder- Writes down
ideas, progress and
information.
3. The Presenter- Contributes
to group ideas, presents the
work when the group is
finished.

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5E Lesson Plan Template

ELABORATION Est. Time: _____20_

What the Teacher Will Do Probing Questions and Answers What the Student Will Do

Students will be using a computer to

gather information.

They will need to gather:

1.Title of project
2.Who is working on the project
3. Where is the project located
4. What will the project accomplish?
Why are scientists doing this?
5. When will this project be
finished?
6. What are some other interesting
details about this project?

...add rows to this

table as needed.
T: Now it’s time to present your research to the class.

EVALUATION Est. Time: ____5____

What the Teacher Will Do
The teacher will have the students
present their findings to the class.
The teacher will have the students
will right down a fact or information
they learned from each group and
turn it in before they leave.
Probing Questions and Answers
What did you learn from their peer’s
presentation?
What are some future space
explorations?
What the Student Will Do
Students will present their research
to the class.
Students will right down a fact or a
statement over each groups
presentation and turn it in.
...add rows to this
table as needed.

T: Thank you students! Have a great day.

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