T HE SOLAR SYSTEM Group 7: The Rainbows A curriculum setup

W HAT ? Setup for a curriculum about the solar system We created an activity for it before (Greece) The solar system varies from very concrete to pretty abstract Looking at the sky is fascinating Suitable for all ages

O VERALL AIM AND OBJECTIVES Progressively teach pupils from ages 6-18 about the solar system From the concept of day and night to gravity on the moon Use authentic science to show that science is fun and it is all around you in everyday life Use ICT to improve the understanding and make it more attractive to learn

3 D IFFERENT AGE GROUPS We decided on three different age groups: Group A: 6-8 year olds Group B: 9-14 year olds Group C: year olds Teacher roles differ between groups Level of understanding differs between groups

C URRICULUM OVERVIEW Solar system Group A 6-8 years old Teacher: director Topics: day/night; seasons; sun; earth; moon; big bang Group B 9-14 years old Teacher: director and mediator Topics: planets; explaining seasons; well-known stars; things you can see; full moon Group C years old Teacher: let students work in groups Topics: stars; atmosphere; big bang explained; gravity

G ROUP A: OVERVIEW What is able for them to understand Day and night Seasons The sun, the earth and the moon Mention the big bang Role of teacher: director

G ROUP A: ACTIVITIES Show a big bang simulation Make paper-mache sun-earth-moon Conditions of life Observe day and night

G ROUP B: OVERVIEW Planets Explain seasons Well known stars What you can see Concrete Full moon etc. Eclipse Teacher is a mediator; partially director, partially student responsibility Students can work in groups

G ROUP B: ACTIVITIES In groups: do research on a planet; make it in paper-mache Create own solar system Go to planetarium or science museum Go look at planets with telescope Show eclipse videos and demonstrate Invite parents for presentation and observation of planets with telescopes

G ROUP B: RESOURCES

G ROUP C: OVERVIEW What are stars White dwarfs Nebula Things that you can’t see Gravity (prerequisite: forces, Newton laws) Big bang Atmosphere Students are independent and work in groups Teacher is guidance and applies basic rules

G ROUP C: ACTIVITIES Use Google Earth to do their own exploration Make a presentation Explain to groups A and/or B some basics of the solar system Experience multiple G Calculate weight on different planets Presence of atmosphere

C ONCLUSIONS We created a curriculum setup built on the keynotes from last week The solar system is a fascinating subject Ages 6-8, 9-14 and Teacher roles differ and change Pupils change We involved ICT, parents, group work, essentialism, progressivism, perennialism, authentic science and hands-on experience

T HANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND THANK YOU ALL FOR THESE GREAT WEEKS !