Overview of NASA/STEP Curriculum Module-Summer 1998

I. Title of Module:

• Using the Internet for Scientific Research

II. Author:

• Michael Chessler

III. Grade Level:

• High School 9-12

IV. Students:

• Urban Minority

V. Purposes:

• Primary: Introduce students to the research facilities available on the Internet
• Secondary: Teach students to use this tool for scientific research, especially NASA/STEP related topics

VI. Overview

• The class will become familiar with the function and structure of the Internet, its research capabilities, and engage in practical, curriculum-based scientific research; they will also learn how to write and organize short papers based on their findings

VII. Curricular Content Development:

Science Content Knowledge:

• Students will need, and all have, a basic understanding of scientific terminology and rudimentary computer skills; these skills will be used as a starting point to explore the Internet and its wealth of information

Technological and Societal Context of Inquiry:

• All work will be done in a computer lab equipped with Pentium computers and T-1 Internet access; students will become familiar with this technology, use it both individually and in groups, and learn how to evaluate the material encountered, i.e. separating fact from fiction, reliable sources from individual opinion; they will also acquire a basic understanding of NASA/STEP, its mission, history, accomplishments, and future

VIII. Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• The classes will commence with an introduction to each topic by the instructor, followed by class discussion and sharing of ideas and information; the majority of class time, though, will be spent in individual and small group research on the Internet following a sequence of topics to be explored; their findings will be word-processed on these same computers toward completion of a module portfolio; classes will end with group discussion and problem-solving and sharing of information and resources

IX. Inquiry Skills:

Scientific Thinking

• Asks questions about natural phenomena; events and discoveries
• Uses concepts from Science Standards 1-4 to explain a variety of observations and phenomena
• Uses evidence from reliable sources to construct explanations
• Evaluates different points of view using relevant experiences, observations, and knowledge; distinguishes between fact and fiction
• Identifies problems; proposes and implements solutions; evaluates the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations
• Works individually and in teams to collect and share information and ideas

Scientific Tools & Technology

• Uses technology and tools (computers) to gather data and extend the senses
• Acquires information from multiple sources, such as print and non-print sources

Scientific Communications

• Represents data and results in multiple ways, such as synthesizing downloaded information in technical and creative writing
• Uses facts to support conclusions

Scientific Investigation

• Non-experimental research using print and electronic information, such as journals, videos, or computers

NASA/STEP Module - Internet - Lesson 1/ Day 1

Objectives:

• To learn what the Internet is, how it works, and how it can be used as a research tool

Skills to be developed: After completion, students will be able to:

• Navigate and understand the Internet
• Use a search engine to find relevant sites
• Download files and reference material
• Organize this information into a report

Concepts:

• Research: How is data and information collected, synthesized, paraphrased and/or quoted, and finally presented; what is in a research paper: format, works cited, and opinion; how is this all collected for presentation and evaluation in a portfolio?
• The Internet: History and evolution, e.g. ARPANET; URL's, Search Engines, hosts and ISP's; the language of the Internet, HTML and the significance of http, domains and/or zones; what exactly is the web?
• Technology as a tool for research: Sites on the web, specifically NASA/STEP, NSF, University libraries, and other reference sources; qualities of search engines

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Listening and note-taking
• Organizing information
• Hands-on computer use
• Individual and group research

Materials and Resources:

• Computer, Internet software, Word Processing software

Activities and Procedures:

NASA/STEP Module - Internet - Lesson 2-8/ Day 2-8

Objectives:

• Each day a different research topic will be assigned; the cumulative effect will be to provide the student with an overview of NASA's history, mission and future; they will be collected in a portfolio for group and teacher evaluation

Lesson 2: What is NASA? History, Mission, Accomplishments

Lesson 3: History of Space Travel; Milestones -- a chronological chart

Lesson 4: Profile of an Astronaut, e.g. John Glenn and his return to space

Lesson 5: What is NASA's current agenda? Initiatives, ramifications

Lesson 6: Life on other planets; what do we know, how are we learning?

Lesson 7: UFO's: Fact, fiction, research, reality, and the Internet

Lesson 8: The Future: Benefits of space travel for the individual, society, the economy, etc.

Skills to be developed:

• After completion, students will be able to:
• Navigate and understand the Internet
• Use a search engine to find relevant sites
• Download files and reference material
• Organize this information into a report

Concepts:

• Research, the Internet, Technology as a tool for research, Scientific and Historical Fact and Fiction

Teaching and Learning Approaches:

• Listening and note-taking
• Organizing information
• Hands-on computer use
• Individual and group research

Materials and Resources:

• Computer, Internet software, Word Processing software

Activities and Procedures:

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Last Updated July 21, 1998 by Roz Krakowsky
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