Planet Earth and Beyond, Lekhulong Secondary School
After all arrangements with the TeachersDream were made, we were able to take our learners to the Boyden Observatory. This excursion took place on the 28th October 2005. We took along 55 learners, all in grade 10 and 11. (28 learners in grade 11 and 27 learners in grade 10).
On the day the bus drove off from school at 15H00 and we arrived at the observatory at 15H45 as per appointment with the presenters. At 16H00, our learners were taken into the auditorium where they were involved in a number of exciting activities, among which they:
Were shown a video on the launching of a robot on the planet Mars by the American scientists to explore the presence of water on the planet and to investigate the possibility of life on Mars.
Were shown a satellite telescope which was used by the observatory to do research on the planets and study the movements of the heavenly bodies. This telescope provides current information and can be zoomed in and out to view the stars and the planets.
Were introduced to some mathematical applications of what is learned in the classroom where learners carried out calculations to estimate the size of the sun’s flare relative to its total size. (proportions, scale drawing and measurements, which also apply in the physics class)
Were introduced to the use of exponents to estimate the mass of the earth using comparisons with the mass of an average human being (From the known to the unknown!).
The learners were later taken to a building in which there is one of the biggest telescopes which are used for research purposes by the students of the University of the Free State as well as the research staff. Unfortunately on that day, the weather was not ideal for live viewing of the stars. It was cloudy.
The learning outcomes as set out in our proposal were met.
L O1- Conducting and investigation – was met in that even though the learners did not do the experiment themselves, they saw how scientific investigations are carried out on the video, “exploring Mars”.
LO 1 also refers to application of knowledge - This was achieved in that the learners used what they learned in class (both Maths and Science) to carry out calculations in the real life context.
L O2 - Knowledge – This was achieved in that learners learned and gained new knowledge of how the universe looks like, the relative size of the planet earth, its relationship with other planets and the composition of the stars, the sun being made up of burning gases- Hydrogen and Helium. A huge amount of knowledge was gained – both mathematical and scientific.
L O3- Values and attitudes- Certainly this was also reached in that the learners’ attitude towards the study of astronomy changed and many of them started inquiring about the possibilities of them studying this course. Learners also learned about the impact that research has on changing our lives and have started thinking about pursuing further studies in maths and science to make it in the world of research.
As said earlier, the only set back was that we could not see the stars through the telescopes but we were advised to visit the place some time during the second term of the school year in the future.
One of the surprises we had was a question which one of the learners asked, which was: “How did the scientists know that the gases that make up the sun are Hydrogen and Helium?” This was the most interesting question that I had never thought of before. The explanation we had from one of the presenters was that by comparing the spectral lines of the individual elements with that of the sun, the matches were found for Hydrogen and Helium. He indicated how the use of the knowledge we have on earth could be used to investigate the unknown in the other planets/ stars. For me it was only then that I realised the importance of knowing the spectra of the different elements and how that knowledge could be applied in new practical situations (Life long learning).
The excursion was very helpful and exciting, not only for me but also for the learners. We would like to have this kind of an outing with our learners so that they can see how the science and mathematics they learn at school relates to real life situations.
We as a school would like to thank the TeachersDream and the Shuttleworth foundation for having made this dream possible. We believe that you will still consider our future applications for help.
WHAT WE HAVE LEARN AT BOYDEN OBSERVATORY
On the 28th October we went to Boyden Observatory to get more information about Astronomy and how Science and Maths relate to this.
We have learned that there are Nine Planets, but there is only one that have life in it and that is Earth. I also know that Earth is 380 000km away from the moon and that Venus is Covered with Cloud. I have learned that stars are born and they die.
Before I went to Boyden Observatory I have never realised that Science relates to Maths. but from today I believe. This is how we use Maths to Caltulate how far is the Moon form Earth and how big the sun is. Maths is also use to caltulate the Months it take to go to Mars and other Planets. Do you know how long it takes to go to Mars.. Well we do 7 months.
Thank you to Teachers Dream and the Shuttleworth Foundation for making this come true.
