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A core learning question from the Astrobiology Learning Progressions
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6.3. Are there environments beyond Earth that could be habitable?
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7.2. How do we explore within our own Solar System for signs of life?
Grades K-2 or Adult Naive Learner
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Have you ever been walking along and found a feather from a bird on the ground? If so, you would have known right away that a bird has been in that area. Maybe it flew by just recently or maybe a long time ago. You might be able to tell by the condition of the feather. You might also be able to tell what type of bird had been in the area by looking at the size and the color of the feather and matching it to what the feathers of some birds look like. There are lots of things that are left behind by animals and plants, and they let us know more about who was there. A feather, dog poop, deer footprints, the breathing holes on beaches for clams, spider webs, and pollen from flowers all help us to know about the life in an area without actually seeing the living things themselves. When we do this, we are using a scientific idea called inference. It is important to know the difference between observation using your senses and inferring when you use your thoughts. Both are very important for scientists to use to investigate nature. Keep exploring!
Disciplinary Core IdeasLS1.A: Structure and Function: All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. (1-LS1-1)LS4.D: Biodiversity and Humans: There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. (2-LS4-1)ESS2.E: Biogeology: Plants and animals can change their environment. (K-ESS2-2)Crosscutting ConceptsCause and Effect: Events have causes that generate observable patterns. (2-LS2-1)Structure and Function: The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s). (2-LS2-2)
Big Ideas: Plants and animals have certain characteristics that help identify them. They leave traces of themselves in their environment. These signs of life are clues that something living was once there.Boundaries: Students in this grade band make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in each of a variety of different habitats. Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats. (2-LS4-1)
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Grades 3-5 or Adult Emerging Learner
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Have you ever found a shell on a beach, seen the footprints left by a dog, or discovered a nest in a tree? Every time we see these things like these we think about the living creatures that created them. It would be great to see a living clam, dog, or baby bi …