The Solar System

and Its Formation:

Kinesthetic Instructional

Strategies

KeriAnn Rubin Pennsylvania State University

� Background Information � Solar System Formation � Construct Map � Pre-Instruction � Instruction � Kinesthetic Accretion � Post-Instruction � Results � Discussion

Agenda

Earth and Space Science Partnership (ESSP)

�  Improve:

�  Teacher Content Knowledge

�  Quality of Teacher Instruction

�  Student Academic Achievement

�  Teacher Workshops

�  Learning Progressions

�  Plate Tectonics

�  Solar System Astronomy

Background Information

The Solar System Astronomy Learning Progression Team

�  Dr. Scott McDonald – Science Education

�  Dr. Christopher Palma - Astronomy

�  Dr. Julia Plummer – Astronomy/Science Education

�  Alice Flarend – Science Education

�  KeriAnn Rubin – Science Education

�  Yann Shiou Ong – Science Education

Background Information

(ScienceDaily, 2013)

Solar System Formation

� Next Generation Science Standards

� “The Solar System appears to have formed

from a disk of dust and gas, drawn together

by gravity.”

(Achieve, Inc., 2013; National Research Council, 2012)

Solar System Formation

Levels  

Level Descriptions  

Level 7  

The Solar System formed from the accretion of microscopic materials such as gas, rock, and/or dust that built up until they were massive enough for gravity to continue accretion at the macroscopic level. The Sun and planets formed from the same initial cloud of dust and gas. Gravity caused the collapse of this material into the Sun and planets. Students’ description of the force of gravity may include non-normative aspects.  

Level 6 A & B

The Solar System may have formed after an explosion. The Sun and planets formed from the same initial cloud of dust and gas. The Solar System formed from the accretion of A) microscopic or B) macroscopic materials such as gas, rock, and/or dust. Gravity caused the collapse of this material into the Sun and planets. Students’ description of the force of gravity may include non-normative aspects.  

Level 5  

The Solar System may have formed after an explosion. The Solar System formed from materials such as gas, rock, and/or dust (either microscopic, macroscopic, and/or unclear size). The formation included accretion-like processes. Gravity held the Solar System together during formation, but did not cause accretion.  

Level 4  

The Solar System may have formed after an explosion. At least part of the Solar System formed from materials such as gas, rock, and/or dust (either microscopic, macroscopic, and/or unclear size). Gravity played a role in the formation or maintenance of the whole system, but not in forming the planets. No mechanism is provided for how the material came together to form the planets.  

Level 3  The Solar System may have formed after an explosion. Gravity played a role in the formation or maintenance of the whole system, but not in forming the planets. No mechanism is provided for how planets formed from pre-existing material.  

Level 2   The Solar System began as an explosion, but gravity played no role in the formation process. No mechanism is provided for how planets formed from pre-existing material.  

Level 1   The Solar System has always existed, so no formation process occurred.  

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Construct Map

�  Week 1: �  Size/Scale �  Earth’s Rotation/Tilt

�  Week 2: �  Day/Night �  Orbits �  Seasons

�  Week 3: �  Seasons �  Sun-Earth-Moon

�  Weeks 4 + 5: �  Sun-Earth-Moon �  Moon Phases �  Eclipses �  Tides

�  Weeks 6 + 7: �  Meteors �  Comets �  Shooting Stars �  Asteroids

�  Weeks 8 + 9: �  Planetary Orbits �  Asteroid Orbits �  Ecliptic

�  Weeks 10 + 11: �  Size/Scale �  Mass �  Planet Properties

�  Weeks 12 – 14: �  Planetary Orbits �  Solar System

Formation �  Exoplanets �  Astronomical

Technology

Instruction

� Modified NASA Lesson

� Active Accretion: An Active Learning

Game on Solar System Origins

(Ritsvey & Cobb, n.d.; Nature Publishing Group, 2011)

Kinesthetic Accretion

� To what degree did you include gravity in your description?

� To what degree did you include the materials that

formed the planets in your description? � To what degree did you include microscopic

accretion in your description?

� To what degree did you include macroscopic accretion in your description?

Kinesthetic Accretion

Results

Pre-Levels

7 (0)

6A (0)

6B (3)

5 (2)

4 (2)

3 (4)

2 (3)

1 (7)

Post-Levels

7 (8)

6A (8)

6B (3)

5 (0)

4 (2)

3 (0)

2 (0)

1 (0)

�  How could you assess your students to find out where they are on the construct map?

�  What content would your students need to know before they are ready to engage in this activity?

� Does this activity advance students along the progression or does it need to be adjusted to support student progression towards more sophisticated explanations?

Discussion

Achieve, Inc. (2013). Next Generation Science Standards (pp. 1–83). ESSP. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.essp.psu.edu/ National Research Council. (2012). A framework for K-12 science

education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas (pp.1-385).

National STEM Centre. (n.d.). Birth of the Solar System. Retrieved from http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/1922/birth- of-the-solar-system

Nature Publishing Company. (2011). Planetary accretion. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v473/n7348/fig_tab/ 473460a_F1.html

PAESTA. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.paesta.psu.edu/ Ristvey, J., & Cobb, W. (n.d.) Active accretion: An interactive learning

game on Solar System origins. Denver, CO. ScienceDaily. (2013). Retrieved from http://images.sciencedaily.com/

2012/03/120330205815-large.jpg

Resources