Essential Questions
For each of our topics we will study (10 in total), we have a series of Essential Questions. These questions are at the heart of what this topic is really about. Each Essential Question has the potential to create a BIG IDEA in your mind - an idea that bigger than just the science content we are learning.
Essential Questions are meant to have multiple answers too - depending on how you view the world. That can be good and bad. Good because you get to uncover your own answers. Bad, because you may go a little nuts if you are stuck on finding the "one right answer".
The other important thing about these Essential Questions is that they form the core of our "End Points". When you are asked to show what you know at the end of a topic, you will need to be able to thoughtfully answer them with detail. Because of that, they are very, very important. Pay attention to the Essential Questions, and see what kind of amazing things you can uncover when you strive to answer them.
Essential Questions are meant to have multiple answers too - depending on how you view the world. That can be good and bad. Good because you get to uncover your own answers. Bad, because you may go a little nuts if you are stuck on finding the "one right answer".
The other important thing about these Essential Questions is that they form the core of our "End Points". When you are asked to show what you know at the end of a topic, you will need to be able to thoughtfully answer them with detail. Because of that, they are very, very important. Pay attention to the Essential Questions, and see what kind of amazing things you can uncover when you strive to answer them.
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The Essential Questions for each topic are listed below.
Essential Questions for "Spilling Tea"
What does it mean to learn?
When is the truth important, and how will you find it?
What does it mean to learn?
When is the truth important, and how will you find it?
Essential Questions for "The DOFs of Astronomy"
What qualities made the DOFs stand out from the rest?
Did the DOFs uncover a universe that is complex, or one that is simple?
What qualities made the DOFs stand out from the rest?
Did the DOFs uncover a universe that is complex, or one that is simple?
Essential Questions for "Mostly Harmless"
How exceptional is our home, the Earth?
How exceptional is our home, the Earth?
Essential Questions for "Star Stuff"
In what ways are you connected to the stars?
In what ways are you connected to the stars?
Essential Questions for "Life, the Universe, and Everything"
Do you matter to the Universe?
Can we know everything?
Do you matter to the Universe?
Can we know everything?
Essential Questions for "Don't Eat Yellow Snow"
To what extent do we have a water problem?
To what extent do we have a water problem?
Essential Questions for "All That Glitters..."
What makes us civilized?
What did Shakespeare really mean when he said, "All that glitters is not gold..."?
What makes us civilized?
What did Shakespeare really mean when he said, "All that glitters is not gold..."?
Essential Questions for "School of Rocks"
How old is old?
To what extent can rocks speak to us? What stories are they telling?
How old is old?
To what extent can rocks speak to us? What stories are they telling?
Essential Questions for "The Ring of Fire"
Is there a pattern to the mayhem and chaos that the Earth unleashes upon us?
Would it be better to view the Earth as steady and constant, or restless and violent?
Who is your best teacher?
Is there a pattern to the mayhem and chaos that the Earth unleashes upon us?
Would it be better to view the Earth as steady and constant, or restless and violent?
Who is your best teacher?
Essential Questions for "The Boring One About Weather"
Who should protect this planet, and what does it need protection from?
How confident should we be at predicting weather events?
Who should protect this planet, and what does it need protection from?
How confident should we be at predicting weather events?