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Planet hunter - Alien activity from Wikid

  • Key Stage 3
  • SciQ Sequences

Type: Activity
Learning Strategy: Imaginative inquiry
Topic: Solar System

Earlier missions failed to find life on other planets. Is it still worth looking? Can we justify the expense of the search for extra terrestrial intelligence? In this next sequence the students will be deciding just how likely intelligent life elsewhere in the galaxy is.

This activity is a sample from the Alien unit, part of the upd8 wikid course. Find out more about the course

Introduction to the Alien unit
Are we alone, or are there other life-supporting planets in our galaxy? Where might we find these planets? What sort of life might they support? Scientists from many disciplines are collaborating in the search for answers to these tantalising questions.

Download the Alien unit guide to see the How Science Works and content coverage

Download the PowerPoint presentation to see the sample activity

Published: 14th July 2009
Reviews & Comments: 1

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Learning objectives

· Astronomers have changed humanity's perception of its place in the Universe from the 'centre of creation' to being part of a solar system on the edge of just one in many billions of collections of stars.
· Astronomy and Space science require a special approach, because of the vast scale of Space, and rely not on experiments but on a mix of very accurate observation, theory, technology and models.

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How astronomy gives insight into the nature and observed motions of celestial objects (PoS Strategy 3.4 and Solar system (5.3))

Running the activity

Download the lesson plan for full details.

Reviews & Comments

Write your online review to share your feedback and classroom tips with other teachers. How well does it work, how engaging is it, how did you use it, and how could it be improved?

Planet hunter - Alien activity from Wikid review

Feb 9th, 2010

5 Star

Very good activity . I used it with my top set and really enjoyed doing it

Reviewer: moses otunga

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