Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Galaxies and Milky Way

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This part of the lesson plan is vital for establishing a solid understanding of galaxies, particularly the Milky Way. By outlining clear objectives, students will have a focused direction during hands-on activities in class, allowing them to connect the knowledge they've gained at home. Additionally, clearly defined objectives help students visualize what they are expected to achieve by the end of the class, enhancing the overall learning process.

Objective Utama:

1. Help students grasp the concept of galaxies, focusing on their main characteristics like structure, composition, and types.

2. Enable students to recognize the Milky Way as our home galaxy and differentiate it from other galaxies, emphasizing its unique features.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage students to think critically by comparing the Milky Way with other galaxies through interactive activities.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This section of the lesson plan aims to engage students with previously studied content through scenarios that prompt reflection and practical application. The problem-based situations stimulate critical thinking, helping students link theory with observable reality. Meanwhile, contextualization connects the material to the real world, sparking students' interest and curiosity.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you're an astronaut floating in space, gazing at the night sky. Suddenly, a bright streak catches your eye. How would you determine if that's the Milky Way or a different galaxy?

2. If you had to give the Milky Way a new name based on its features or history, what would it be and why?

Contextualization

The Milky Way, our own galaxy, is one of the most amazing sights in the universe, yet it hasn't always held that name. Interestingly, the term 'galaxy' comes from the Greek 'galaxias kyklos', meaning 'milky circle', inspired by the appearance of the Milky Way in the night sky. Moreover, there are numerous other galaxies out there, each with distinct characteristics and mysteries. For example, the Andromeda galaxy, which is our nearest galactic neighbour, is hurtling towards us at about 110 kilometers per second.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is crafted to help students practically and interactively apply their understanding of galaxies, particularly the Milky Way. Through engaging and collaborative activities, students can explore galaxy characteristics and visualize them in a tangible way. This stage is crucial for reinforcing learning, fostering teamwork, and sparking students' creativity.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Galaxy Builders

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and comprehend the visual traits of various galaxies, while fostering creativity and teamwork.

- Description: Students will split into groups of up to 5 people and receive materials like paper, glue, glitter, colourful strings, and plastic stars. They will use these materials to create a model of a galaxy, aiming to represent the key parts and characteristic colours of spiral, elliptical, or irregular galaxies.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Distribute the required materials to each group.

• Ask each group to select the type of galaxy they want to create and plan their model.

• Guide students in identifying and illustrating the main components of a galaxy, including the core, spiral arms, and halo.

• Encourage creativity by asking students to add details that represent light emission and star movement within their galaxy.

• At the end, each group will present their model to the class, explaining their choices and the features they included.

Activity 2 - Galaxy Mystery

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Strengthen understanding of galaxy types and their unique traits, while enhancing analytical and deductive skills.

- Description: In this fun activity, students will tackle a 'galaxy mystery'. They will receive cards with descriptions of different galaxy types (spiral, elliptical, irregular) and their specific attributes. The challenge is to match each description with the right galaxy type, using a large 'star map' displayed on the classroom wall that illustrates several galaxies.

- Instructions:

• Prepare cards in advance with details about various types of galaxies and their characteristics.

• Hang a 'star map' on the classroom wall where groups can attach their cards.

• Split the class into groups and hand out the cards.

• Students will read the descriptions and, relying on prior knowledge, match each description to the correct galaxy on the star map.

• Each correct match will earn points, and the group with the most matches at the end will win.

• Review the correct matches with the class to reinforce learning.

Activity 3 - Interplanetary Trip

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance research, planning, and presentation skills while deepening knowledge about galaxies.

- Description: In groups, students will design an itinerary for an interplanetary trip that includes stops at various galaxies they studied. They will use research materials and creativity to envision what this journey would entail, taking into account distances, star types, and potential hazards or discoveries.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups, explaining they'll be responsible for planning an interplanetary trip.

• Provide research materials, including books, articles, and internet access.

• Guide students in selecting which galaxies they'd like to visit and planning the trip details, such as routes, star types, and possible challenges.

• Each group will compile a 'logbook' outlining the planned journey, including both scientific and creative insights.

• At the end, groups will present their itineraries to the class, highlighting their choices and what they learned about the galaxies they visited.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage allows students to reflect on and articulate their collaboratively acquired knowledge. Group discussion solidifies learning, enabling students to verbalize their understandings and questions while hearing diverse perspectives from their peers. It also serves as an opportunity for the teacher to assess students' grasp of the topic, identifying any gaps that could guide future lessons or reviews.

Group Discussion

To kick off the group discussion, the teacher will arrange students in a circle and invite each group to share their key discoveries and experiences from the activities. The teacher should encourage students to discuss what they found most challenging and what surprised them during the model-building and 'Galaxy Mystery' activities.

Key Questions

1. What are the main differences you noticed between the galaxy types during the activities?

2. How did building the models enhance your understanding of galaxy structure and composition?

3. Did you uncover any interesting facts or curiosities about the Milky Way or other galaxies that you'd like to share?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The goal of this stage is to consolidate the knowledge gained by students, ensuring they can connect theoretical concepts with practical activities implemented. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of learning about galaxies and the Milky Way, situating them within a broader context of the universe and science.

Summary

In this concluding stage, the teacher will summarize the main points discussed regarding galaxies and the Milky Way, revisiting the key features of each galaxy type (spiral, elliptical, and irregular) and underscoring how the Milky Way stands apart from others.

Theory Connection

The teacher will clarify how the hands-on activities, like building models and solving the 'Galaxy Mystery', helped link the theory studied at home with practical applications in class, providing a richer understanding through the visualization and engagement with abstract concepts.

Closing

Finally, the significance of studying galaxies will be emphasized, not just for scientific inquiry but as a means to deepen our understanding of Earth's place in the universe and appreciate the awe of cosmic diversity.