Activity 1 - Why do we change our minds?​

​Activity Tasks
  1. Think of time in your life when you changed your mind about something. Why did you change your mind? What persuaded or influenced you? 
  2. ​With a partner, brainstorm the question: "How and why do people change their minds?". Share your ideas with the class.
  3. Now try to think of an example for each of the following:
    1. When someone you know changed their minds
    2. When someone famous had changed their minds
    3. When someone from the past had changed their minds
  4. What things help people to change their minds?

Activity 2 - What is a claim?

Activity Tasks
  1. ​Around the room are a series of statements on paper. Place a yellow sticky note under all of the statements that you agree with, and a different colour sticky note under all the statements you disagree with. Write why you agree or disagree on each sticky note.
  2. What is a claim? Discuss with a partner and write down a definition of this word.
  3. Now watch the video and answer these questions:
    1. How can we decide whether to trust, ignore or investigate a claim?
    2. What are the four claim testers and how do they differ from one another?

Activity 3 - What are claim testers?

Activity Tasks
  1. Download and read this article and answer the following questions:​
    1. What claim tester does Big Sci represent and what are his credentials?
    2. What claim tester does Evy represent and what does she carry for support?
    3. What claim tester does Andor represent?
    4. What claim tester does Vera represent?
    5. Which claim tester did Brianna use to test Big Sci’s claim that there was no such thing as space travel?
  2. Why are claim testers important?
  3. The fifth claim tester, faith, was not in the comic. Do you think it is a suitable way to test claims? How might someone agree or disagree with this?

Activity 4 - Different Models of the Universe

Activity Tasks
  1. In groups, look at the three different models of the universe. What are the similarities and differences between them?
  2. Now put the three models in chronological order, from the model which was proposed first, to the second, and then the last (or most modern one). Why is this order correct?
  3. Think back to last weeks lesson on the Christian origin story. Which of the three models of the universe would the Christian origin story most closely match?
  4. Now watch the video. Why did early astronomers begin to observe and measure the universe?

Activity 5 - Group Research Task

  1. Use the information links on this page to research the following questions with your group, using this worksheet to record your research:
    1. When and where did they live and study?
    2. What did they discover about the Universe?
    3. What tools did they use to study the Universe?
    4. How did their discoveries change our minds about the Universe?
  2. Once you have finished researching, create a 3-4 minute presentation for the class about your scientist. Make sure you use the above questions to structure your presentation and include images to help you explain. You will be teaching the other groups!

Group 1 - Ptolemy

Group Tasks
  1. ​Read through this article about Claudius Ptolemy to find information to help you answer the questions on your comparison sheets. Here is an easier article. 
  2. Check out this webpage from ThoughtCo. for more information on Ptolemy.
  3. This webpage from Famous Scientists has more detailed information.
  4. Watch and take notes from the video on Ptolemy -->
  5. Now create your presentation!

Group 2 - Copernicus

Group Tasks
  1. Read this article about Nicolaus Copernicus to find information to help you answer the questions on your comparison sheets. Here is an easier article. 
  2. Check out this webpage from ThoughtCo. for more information on the life of Nicolaus Copernicus. 
  3. This webpage from Famous Scientists has more detailed information.
  4. Watch and take notes from the video on Copernicus-->
  5. Now create your presentation!

Group 3 - Galileo

Group Tasks
  1. Read this article about Galileo Galilei to find information to help you answer the questions on your comparison sheets. Here is an easier article. 
  2. Check out this webpage from ThoughtCo. for more information on the life of Galileo Galilei. 
  3. This webpage from Famous Scientists has more detailed information.
  4. Watch and take notes from the video on Galileo -->
  5. Now create your presentation!

Group 4 - Newton

​Group Tasks
  1. ​Read this article about Isaac Newton to find information to help you answer the questions on your comparison sheets. Here is an easier article. 
  2. Check out this webpage from ThoughtCo. for more information on the life of Isaac Newton.
  3. Read this webpage from Famous Scientists for more detailed information.
  4. Watch and take notes from the video on Newton -->
  5. Now create your presentation!

Group 5 - Hubble

Group Tasks
  1. ​Read this article about Edwin Hubble to find information to help you answer the questions on your comparison sheets. Here is an easier article. 
  2. Check out this webpage from ThoughtCo. for more information on the life of Edwin Hubble.
  3. Read this webpage from Famous Scientists for more detailed information.
  4. Watch and take notes from the video on Newton -->
  5. Now create your presentation!

Activity 6 - What is the Big Bang Theory?

Activity Tasks
  1. With a partner, you have 15 minutes to research the Big Bang Theory on the internet and create a mind-map of key details in your book. Try to record as much information about it as you can.
  2. Now create a comic, poster or info-graphic of the Big Bang theory. Make sure to include the key stages of the Big Bang, and try to include key details, but make it creative! Resource to help:
  3. If you have time, watch this CrashCourse Big History video about the Big Bang. Use the subtitles to help you record evidence about the Big Bang theory to use in your poster. This website is also good.

Activity 7 - How convincing is the theory?

Activity Tasks
  1. To test the Big Bang theory, complete this table by using the five claim testers of authority; logic; evidence; intuition and faith. For each one, try to think of some examples from what you have learnt about the Big Bang this lesson.
  2. Is it possible to believe in God AND the Big Bang Theory? Or are they both totally different theories that CAN'T be combined?
  3. Are you convinced by the Big Bang theory? Has it changed your views on creation? Write a paragraph in your books explaining whether you agree with the Big Bang Theory or not. Give reasons for your beliefs.

Further Reading

STANDARD READING
  1. Chao, T. (2013, February 5). The Most Famous Astronomers of All Time. Space.Com; Space.
INTERMEDIATE READING
  1. Origin Story: Modern Scientific (article) | Khan Academy. (2014). Khan Academy.
ADVANCED READING
  1. Powell, C. S. (2017, January 2). January 1, 1925: The Day We Discovered the Universe. Discover Magazine; Discover Magazine. 
FURTHER WATCHING
  1. Biography. (2013). Copernicus - Astronomer | Mini Bio | BIO [YouTube Video].
  2. CrashCourse. (2015). Introduction to Astronomy: Crash Course Astronomy #1 [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. 
  3. CrashCourse. (2018). The New Astronomy: Crash Course History of Science #13 [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.

MYP - Y7-8

Y7 - MYP 1
Y8 - MYP 2
Further Reading

Futures - Y9-11

Elements
Entrance
Explorations

IBDP - Y12-13

History / Global Politics / Philosophy
Economics / Business Management / Psychology
Geography / Environmental Systems and Societies
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