This module is an introduction to science fiction as well as a unit designed to start students thinking about the future and their roles in it. Twenty short stories are to be read, and their similarities and differences discussed. As students read through these stories, they will be exposed to many possibilities for life in the future. More important, they will become more aware of the present, and how what we are doing right now will affect all our futures.
Students conduct research on space science and fiction by completing the online space lessons. After completing their research, students will compose science fiction stories about imaginary planets by creating an interactive 3D mars world!. Students' stories will incorporate elements of fact and fiction that they gather during their research.
Students will begin this unit by discussing science fiction and working towards an operational definition of science fiction for the purposes of this unit only. Many students do not realize that movies such as Star Wars, Aliens and E.T. are science fiction. Students will learn that science fiction concepts can be future-oriented, based on real scientific knowledge and predictive. They will do this by having the class brainstorm their ideas about the genre, and then their ideas can be incorporated into one definition which they will record and keep for further reference
Objectives:
At the end of this module students should be able to:
1. Understand the concepts of future and change.
2. Understand how their own future effects of change upon their lives.
3. Predict possible alternatives for the future.
4. Examine themes of adventure, family, relationships, and technology and our responsibility to technology and change.
5. Develop organizational skills through record keeping.
6. Examine the impact of technology on the space program, in the past, and at present.
7. Speculate on the direction that space exploration could (or should) take in the future.
8. Create a 3D Mars Space Colony
Students complete a variety of written assignments and final projects to assess progress. All work is archived in individual student folders at the 3DLearn site. Final multimedia projects are showcased at the 3DLearn site and are archived into personal student portfolio CD's at the end of the school year to document progress and student growth.
3DLearn teachers provide written daily feedback on all student assignments. Students have password protected learning portals where assignment feedback is stored along with their e-gradebook. Students have access to this area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
These include:
Module Resources
Self-selected Science Fiction Novels to coincide with a genre study of science fiction writing and science fiction authors.
