Date: January 30, 2000

Grade Level(s): 5, 6, 7

Subject(s):

• Computer Science

Description: This lesson involves students in the process of problem solving. The students are focusing on the theme of "space" but they are also gathering data, analyzing information, and communicating ideas through the use of technology. Students collaborate with their peers throughout the entire process.

Goals:   Students will:

1. use technology as a tool to conduct and evaluate research and to communicate information and ideas effectively.
2. use problem solving strategies to answer three problems pertaining to the nine planets and the moon.
3. use technology as an integral part of the problem solving process.

1. use the Internet to research the given information pertaining to the 9 planets. Information: distance from sun, diameter, average temperature, surface areas, atmosphere.
2. use the collected data and complete a database on planet characteristics. A solution to problem 1 will be word processed.
3. perform calculations that will indicate their weight on the 9 planets using a spreadsheet application.
4. evaluate spreadsheet data on the planets and realize that the more mass a planet has, the more gravity it has.
5. use the Internet to collect data on moon phases.
6. create a spreadsheet showing the correct name of the moon phases and the days on which they occur.
7. discover that the revolution of the Moon around the Earth causes the Moon to appear to change shape in the sky.
8. evaluate the information from databases and spreadsheets to solve and word process the solutions to three specific real world problems.

• computer with Internet access
• spreadsheet
• database and word processing applications

Problem 1:
If the Earth was no longer able to sustain life, which planet would you suggest we move to and why? In groups of 2, students research the planet characteristics, compile database, collaborate, and word process the solution to the problem.

Problem 2:
How much would you weigh on the planets? Why is your weight different on each planet? Groups of 2 are given the percent of gravity for the planets. Next, they enter data into a spreadsheet application and use this spreadsheet to determine a solution to the given problem. Students collaborate and word process solution.

Problem 3:
Why are you able to see a Full Moon one night and a Crescent Moon another night? Students use the Internet to research moon phases. Students will enter the name of the phase and the day it occurs on into a spreadsheet and create a graph. Students will use the graph and other information from the Internet to word process the solution to problem 3.

Assessment: Students will be assessed using a rubric which identifies the degree of success to which they investigated and solved each problem successfully. (Teachers will need to create their own rubrics.)