EDUCATION
Dawn Classrooms > History of Asteroids Module
The History and Discovery of Asteroids
Learners will explore scientific discoveries and the technologies as a sequence of events that led eventually to the Dawn mission. This standards-aligned module is organized around a learning cycle and engages students in a number of experience in order for the teacher to activate students' prior knowledge, assess student conceptual understanding in order to inform instruction.
Many of the MS Word documents below are password-protected. This means that there are special restrictions in effect. However, a student can type in the document and save their work electronically in the areas that show gold brackets []. A password is not needed to open, type in the gold brackets, or save the document. The document will continue to be password-protected in the restricted areas after being saved with the student's work.
Patterns in the Sky
Students look at planetary distance information and use algebra to "discover" a gap between Mars and Jupiter
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In search Of ...
Students use a modern starchart to find a missing planet?
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How Bright Are You?
Students graph the brightness of asteroids and asteroid size versus their dates of discovery.
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Seeing Circles
Students use different objects to learn about and model albedo
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Where Are You?
Students develop a model of asteroid diameters using mathematics and food.
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Modeling in 3-D
Students experience how models can be made to represent objects in space.
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Primary Authors
Deb Aruca, McREL
Dr. Donna Bogner, McREL
John Ristvey, McREL
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Layout/Graphics
Judy Counley, McREL
Lisa Maxfield, McREL
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Contributing Writer
Dr. B.J. McCormick, McREL
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Pilot Test Teachers
Louis Dilts, Challenge to Excellence School, Parker CO
Daniel Figueroa, New Roads Middle School, Santa Monica CA
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Contributors/Reviewers
Dr. Lucy McFadden, University of Maryland
Dr. Marc Rayman, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Cal Tech.
Joe Wise, New Roads School, Center for Effective Learning
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Field Test Teachers
Randy Mousley, Stucky Middle School KS
Aaron Kealey, Wilbur Middle School KS
Kathy Peavey, Hadley Middle School KS
Mark Gobert, Harmoney Area School District PA
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