Table of Contents

Module 4: The Planets

Lesson 4: SETI WebQuest and the Drake Equation

Timeframe:

This activity requires approximately one 30-minute classe

• 1 Class for the WebQuest activity

Objectives:  Pan-Canadian Curriculum Objectives

104-3: demonstrate and explain the importance of selecting appropriate processes for investigating scientific questions and solving technological problems (e.g., explain why astrology is not a part of science)

105-6: describe how evidence must be continually questioned in order to validate scientific knowledge (e.g., provide examples of ideas, such as the flat Earth, the Earth as the centre of the solar system, and life on Mars, which were or are being challenged to develop new understandings of the natural world)

106-3: describe examples of improvements to the tools and techniques of scientific investigation that have led to new discoveries (e.g., describe examples, such as the lunar buggy, the Canadarm, the Hubble telescope, and space probes, which have extended scientific knowledge)

107-15: describe scientific and technological achievements that are the result of contributions by people from around the world (e.g., describe international contributors related to the construction of the space station)

205-8: identify and use a variety of sources and technologies to gather pertinent information (e.g., use electronic and print resources or visit a planetarium to gather information on the visual characteristics of planets)

207-2: communicate procedures and results, using lists, notes in point form, sentences, charts, graphs, drawings, and oral language (e.g., write a postcard describing your holiday on a planet other than Earth and include in the description the key characteristics of that planet)

General Objectives:

Through this lesson, students will learn of the research currently being done in the field of extraterrestrial intelligence research. Students will also have the opportunity to delve into a mathematical equation used to predict the likelihood of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Curricular Connections:

• Information and Communication Technologies
  • Internet Searching
• Mathematics
  • Multiplication of very large and very small numbers

Lesson Overview:

This activity is involves having students complete a WebQuest, or Internet research activity in which they will complete a guided research worksheet. The students will only be given a single class period for the research so they must stay on task to complete all elements of the worksheet.

WebQuest URL: www.seti.org

Materials and Resources:

Nota : This page contains documents for which the access may require a particular software. If the software is not installed, you can download it and follow the instructions for installation.

• Student WebQuest Handout (PDF format, 29 KB)

Vocabulary:  Astronomy Glossary

• extraterrestrial

Developing the Lesson:

1. Comment that this is an group investigative activity

2. Handout resources…
   • Student WebQuest sheet
     
     
3. Explain time frames
   • approx. 1 class for WebQuest
     
     
4. Explain lab protocol
   • what students can and cannot do in the computer lab.
   • no off-task surfing
   • stop when the time is up
     
     
5. Assign students to groups
   • 2 students per group
     
     

6. Dismiss students to their groups to begin their task

7. After 40 mins. reassemble the class and commence the closure activity

Closure:

Teacher reassembles the class and reviews the WebQuest handout that students completed. After completing this activity, students will likely be full of questions and comments and as a result, students should be encouraged to discuss their feelings with regards to their findings.

Evaluation:

Rubric template