Project 1: COSMOS (Constellations of Students Musing On Stars)
This is, in fact, two projects with a common theme - the Cosmos. In all three subject areas, students examine some aspect of Astronomy. In Physics 3204 and Earth Science 2203 it is done from a scientific point of view; in literature (Advanced Literary Heritage 2201) the emphasis is on mythology and folklore related to Astronomy and Astrology. These areas require access to up to date information that Internet access can provide. As well, this would provide the flexibility for some innovative approaches such as direct E-mail communications with contacts world wide. Through sites like NASA, students can gain access to the latest data and images from space. Topics such as the Hubble Telescope will have far richer meaning when seen in this more direct way. Information gathered by the Literature and Science students will be shared to add to the perspective of each group. This is an excellent opportunity for a cross-discipline approach to a topic. Both Earth Science 2203 and the Physics of Astronomy unit in Physics 3204 contain specific objectives relating to topics such as:
Literary Heritage 2201 includes topics such as:
As pointed out above, Internet research access is an appropriate mechanism by which to study these areas. To first of all address a more general, secondary desired outcome, at the end of the project students should be familiar with the Internet. They should be competent in searching for information as well as downloading text, still images and video clips. The set of primary outcomes is subject specific. In all three subject areas students will obtain information relating to the particular objectives in the courses (as given in the appropriate curriculum guides). In addition to resources currently available (primarily video tape and print) students will be required to be familiar with accessing the Internet. This would be done using a combination of printed guides and direct teacher instruction. Evaluation of the content area would be through the means already in place for the three courses (tests, written projects and short directed exercises) as outlined in the Department of Education and Avalon Consolidated School Board Evaluation Policies. The facility with Internet would be assessed through observation. This would not be evaluated summatively. The specific objectives evaluated, as previously stated, would be the objectives appropriate to Literary Heritage 2201, Physics 3204 (The Physics of Astronomy) and Earth Science 2203. (Note: Though Earth Science 2203 is being phased out provincially, it is being retained as a local course.)
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