Handbook of Engaged Learning Projects

There Is No Place Like . . . SPACE

Project Summary

Subject/Content Area:

Interdisciplinary: Science - astronomy; Math - problem-solving and measurement; Art; Social Studies - current events; and Language Arts - reference. skills

Middle school students, 7th grade, all levels

A collaborative, seven-to-ten weeks investigation of the space program, specifically space stations, its impact on our lives and the world

• Gather information and use decision-making skills to evaluate this information.
• Establish connections and to develop decision-making skills about science and technology.
• Identify and state a problem; design, implement, and evaluate the solution.
• Gather and use information for research purposes.
• Show an understanding and knowledge of analyzing chronological relationships and patterns.
• Demonstrate knowledge of measurement and ratios/proportions.
• Apply mathematical thinking and modeling to solve problems in other disciplines, such as art and science.
• Show a range of subject matter, symbols, and potential ideas in the drawing or modeling of a space station.

Science Standards: Scoience and technology Standards: The student will be able to establish connections between the natural and designed worlds and to develop decision-making abilities associated with the process of design and fundamental understandings about the enterprise of science and its various linkages with technology. The student will be able to identify and state a problem, design a solution--including a cost and risk-and-benefit analysis--implement a solution, and evaluate the solution.

Social Studies Standards: Historical Understanding: Standard 1: Historical Understanding: Understands and knows how to analyze chronological relationships and patterns

Language Arts Standards: Language Arts: Standard 4: Effectively gathers and uses information for research purposes

Mathematics Standards: Standard 13: Measurement: The mathematics curriculum should include extensive concrete experiences using measurement so that students can extend their understanding of the process of measurement; estimate, make, and use measurements to describe and compare phenomena; select appropriate units and tools to measure to the degree of accuracy required in a particular situation Standard 4: Mathematical Connections: The mathematics curriculum should include the investigation of mathematical connections so that students can apply mathematical thinking and modeling to solve problems that arise in other disciplines, such as art, music, psychology, science, and business.

Art Standards: Visual Arts: Standard 3: Knows a range of subject matter, symbols, and potential ideas in the visual arts

Assessment of Students:

Students will be assessed through a project containing a product, presentation, and self assessment.