AUTHOR:

ROBIE Group

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:

9-12; Physical science & Physics

TECHNOLOGY LEVEL:

Moderate (Internet)

CURRICULUM STANDARD:

SI-M-A1 SI-H-A1 SI-H-B2 SI-M-A6 SI-H-A4 SI-H-B4 SI-M-B2 SI-H-A5 SI-M-B6 SI-H-A6

OVERVIEW:

Students explore information about the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and plan a debate about the existence of life on other planets.

OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to...

Evaluate scientific evidence for or against SETI
Learn to separate science fact from fiction
Form a clear, persuasive opinion
Understand the value of effective and clear communication

RESOURCES-MATERIALS:

Internet access
http://www.setileague.org/articles/simple.htm
“SETI Made Simple” a primer on SETI
http://www.accessexcellence.com/AE/AEC/AEF/1996/petrait_seti.html
How to search for life on other planets, a lesson plan
http://www.skypub.com/news/special/9812seti_aliens.html
A SETI article from Sky and Telescope
http://www.seti-inst.edu
The SETI Institute
http://www.seti.org/game/index.html
A SETI game

PROCEDURES:

As a class, discuss the possibility of life beyond planet earth. Separate students into groups of three or four. Have the groups play the SETI game. Half of the groups will research for the existence of SETI and the other half will research against the existence of SETI. Each group will produce a short position paper and will debate the issue and the entire class will decide which group is the most persuasive.