SciThink Investigations
Teacher Guidelines
Grades 6-12
SciThink Investigations is an inquiry guide in which students explore
`Imiloa’s exhibits using “Scientific Thinking” to evaluate: evidence of the origin of
life on Earth, habitable zones in the universe, in a galaxy, in a solar system, the
types of stars that might have habitable planets, a YOUTUBE video about crop
circles, and make comparisons between Polynesian voyaging and space
exploration. Based on recommendations of the National Academies’ Advisors to
the Nation on Science, this guide engages students in the practice of science
and promotes curiosity about the Universe and their place in it. Students
encounter questions, make comparisons, conduct experiments, interpret data,
discuss findings, and engage in creative expression as they explore the
possibility that life may exist elsewhere in the universe. The guide also strives to
involve students in activities that perpetuate traditional ways of knowing and
Hawaiian Science Skills. The goal is to help students advance their knowledge
of the Scientific Method and the natural world while remaining grounded in their
culture.
SciThink Investigations Teacher Guidelines for this field trip experience
includes learning outcomes, HCPS III Benchmarks, and Nā Honua Mauli Ola
Guidelines. Information on what to do before, during, and after the field trip is also
provided. In addition to this, a summary of other parts of the field trip experience: the
planetarium show and the live theater performance are included. Teachers are
encouraged to review these pages and use the information to prepare their haumana
(students) for an amazing and informative class field trip to `Imiloa.
SciThink Investigations Learning Outcomes
Students will:
• Use the Scientific Method to evaluate evidence that life might exist on other
planets and/or moons in our solar system or in other solar systems in the
universe.
• Value Hawaiian Science Skills of observation and learn Hawaiian words for them.
• Identify relationships from the traditional Hawaiian explanation for the origin of
the universe.
• Explore evidence from science supporting the theories that life on planet Earth
could have come from waves at ocean’s edge and/or comets arriving from space
and crashing into Earth.
• Imagine, via artistic expression, possible alien environments and/or alien
anatomies.
• Experiment and explore habitable zones in a galaxy, in a solar system, on a
planet and on an island.
•
•
•
Use the mathematical skill of estimation to become familiar with the Drake
Equation (The Drake Equation was developed by Frank Drake in 1961 as a way
to focus on the factors which determine how many intelligent, communicating
civilizations there may be in our galaxy).
Predict a trend and recognize the relationship between wavelength and energy of
light in the electromagnetic spectrum
Compare and contrast items used by the Polynesian explorers and modern
astronauts for exploration.
Pre-Visit Information
Teachers will be supplied with a copy of the GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and
Science) curriculum guide entitled: Messages from Space: The Solar System and
Beyond developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California at
Berkeley. This curriculum guide is provided to assist teachers in preparing pre/post
lessons to help students get the most from their field trip experience. Teachers are
encouraged to examine the guide and choose lessons appropriate for their students and
their curriculum needs. Activities #1 and #3 provide an excellent background for prefield trip lessons. Activity #2 will be part of the exhibit hall experience at `Imiloa. Other
valuable information that complements the field trip experience and beyond are listed
below:
• SETI Project, pages 1-39-140
• Resources, pages 141-158
• Assessment Options, pages 159-160
• Literature Connections, pages 161-165
The GEMS curriculum guide is the school’s property to keep onsite for continued use by
teachers with their students. Teachers will also be supplied (pre-visit) with one copy of
the SciThink Investigations Student Guide for their perusal. If teachers have any
questions about any of the materials please contact Gail Loeffler, School Programs
Coordinator, at 808-969-9729.
During Field Trip
Distribute copies of the Inquiry Guides to students and accompanying chaperones. Let
students know which parts of the guide they are to complete (depending on time and
other teacher-dependent considerations). Teachers and chaperones should work with
students to help them complete the activities. Exhibit Hall maps specific to this field trip
experience and the SciThink Investigations Student Inquiry Guide will be available for
use by the students during the activity (please ensure maps are left at the center at the
end of your exhibit hall exploration). Numbers and titles on the guides help orient
students to where they need to be. In addition to these navigation tools, signs will be
posted at each station corresponding to information on the student guides. The signs
will also have a graphic of the Scientific Method and the Hawaiian Science Skills which
are the focus of this experience. Personal Sightings strive to solicit student’s opinions
and make real-world connections.
Planetarium Show
The full-dome planetarium show included in this field trip experience is
Origins of Life, produced by Mirage3D Animation, Netherlands. The show deals
with some of the most profound questions of life science: the origins of life and
the human search for life beyond Earth. Starting with the Big Bang, in
chronological order, the show deals with the prebiotic chemistry in the Universe,
the formation of stars, formation of solar systems, and the first life on Earth.
Furthermore, Origins of Life covers the great extinctions as well as our search for
(primitive) life beyond planet Earth. Origins of Life is an inspirational journey
through time and a celebration of life on Earth. It features many recent discoveries
related to life science, demonstrating that if there was ever a time that science
made its greatest advances, it’s right now! The show is bracketed by a pre and
post presentation highlighting:
• the “messages” humans (NASA) sent into space on the Pioneer and
Voyager spacecraft
• our current concepts about aliens
• the scientific method and scientific thinking
• Earth-based and spacecraft-based explorations and evidence
supporting the possibility of life on other planets/moons
• a flyout to the exoplanets that have been discovered by astronomers to
date
• the Drake Equation
• the methods used by SETI scientists (Search for Extra Terrestrial
Intelligence)
“It’s Meat” Live Theater Presentation
Students will be treated to a live puppet show featuring “It’s Meat,” a play based on
a short story published in Omni Magazine in 1990 entitled: They’re Made Out of
Meat, written by science fiction writer, Terry Bisson. The play addresses the
question “If there is intelligent life in the universe, what would they think of
humans?” Students will be engaged in a pre and post show discussion that
reinforces the learning outcomes and concepts presented in both the planetarium
and exhibit hall portion of the field trip.
Post-Visit
Use Quests and Questions, the last section of the SciThink Investigations
Student Inquiry Guide, after a field trip to encourage students to share their
new knowledge and inspire further discussion about their `Imiloa experience. Teachers
may also choose to use the Quests and Questions as a jumping off point for extension
lessons and activities.
Extend the Experience – Suggested Activities
Apply knowledge gained through SciThink Investigations in the following activities:
• Produce your own video about the Scientific Method.
• Write a newspaper headline and/or story about an astronomer or voyager.
Answer the question, “How Do They Do That?” with what you write.
• Consider and poll your classmates and teachers about questions they would ask
an intelligent alien life form if they could.
• Think of ways to communicate with aliens. Consider and list the obstacles and
problems you might encounter, e.g. they don’t speak, they can’t hear you, they
don’t see in visible light, their only sense is temperature changes, etc.
HCPS III Benchmarks
SC.7.1.1
Safely conduct a scientific investigation to answer a question or test a
hypothesis
SC.7.1.3 Explain the need to revise conclusions and explanations based on new
scientific evidence
SC.7.2.1 Explain the use of reliable print and electronic sources to provide scientific
information and evidence
SC.8.1.1 Determine the link(s) between evidence and the conclusions(s) of an
investigation
SC.8.2.2 Describe how scale and mathematical models can be used to support and
explain scientific data
SC.8.6.1 Explain the relationship between the color of light and wavelength within the
electromagnetic spectrum
SC.8.6.3 Identify the characteristics and properties of mechanical and electromagnetic
waves
SC.8.8.8 Describe the composition of objects in the galaxy.
SC.8.8.10 Compare the characteristics and movement patterns of the planets in our solar
system
SC.8.8.11 Describe the major components of the universe.
SC.ES.1.1-SC.PS.1.1-SC.BS.1.1 Describe how a testable hypothesis may need to be
revised to guide a scientfic investigation
SC.ES.1.2-SC.PS.1.2-SC.BS.1.2 Safely implement an experiment, including the
appropriate use of tools and techniques to organize,
analyze, and validate data
SC.ES.1.3-SC.PS.1.3-SC.BS-1.3 Defend and supprt conclusions, explanations, and
arguments based on logic, scientific knowledge, and
evidence from data
SC.ES.1.4-SC.PS.1.4-SC.BS.1.4 Determine the connection(s) among hypotheses,
scientific evidence, and conclusions
SC.ES.1.9-SC.PS.1.9-SC.BS.1.9 Explain how scientific explanations must meet a set of
established criteria to be considered valid
SC.ES.8.3 Explain the possible origins and evolution of the solar system
SC.ES.2.4 Describe technologies used to collect information about the universe
SC.BS.5.1 Explain the theory of evolution and describe evidence that supports their
theory
SC.PS.6.6 Explain and provide examples of electromagnetic radiation using a wave
model
Nā Honua Mauli Ola Guidelines
1.1
1.8
4.7
Utilize a variety of learning materials and strategies that promote cultural traditions,
language, history, and values
Understand and appreciate the importance of Hawaiian cultural traditions, language,
history, and values
Utilize their knowledge, skills, and ways of knowing from their own culture to learn
about the larger world community