Steps of Action for the Team Specialists:
 
A. The Task:  Your task is to work in teams to gather, organize, analyze, and summarize information you find in a variety of resources about "life in space possibilities" in order to assist the World Life Studies Federation with collection of data and evaluation of the possibility of human kind and other species existing beyond Earth. This needs to happen before the World Life Studies Federation completes its' preparations to send the robot  "Aardvark" into space.  An indepth study of Earth and other planets of our Solar System is important to the success of this study. 

Be sure to log all the sites and sources you use, as to the type of resource used, date, title, author, and organization. After gathering the information, evaluate your teams findings and then organize your data into a Power Point (outline) presentation with graphics, to present in a persuasive discussion to the International Life Studies Committee. 
 


B. Activities: 
1. Do the "What We Know / What do We Need to Know" discussion before you begin. Then start using the Project Log Form (Big Six organizer) to help you organize your search. 

2. Continue on with Activity I  and then Activity II collecting information for your questions on 3 1/2"x 5" cards.  Write the names and sites of  resources on the back of each card for later addition to your power point presentation. 

3. Rewrite your notes and spell check (Alpha-smart portable keyboards or spell-checkers) before you begin the story board outline for your presentation.  This is a good time for teams to discuss their work and direct their keywords, phrases and images into a combined outline.  Here's where you position yourselves to make the persuasive points necessary to show your team's conclusions and points of view.. 

4. Move your work to the slide show software to create your presentation.  Cooperation and teamwork are a big measure of your success. 

5. Practice: Practice means you work out who says and does what, when.... And as you practice for your presentation take time to talk and debrief.  Talk about the information collected, about the sources used, and how well you were able to answer questions. 

4. Present:  Your presentation to the Federation will bring together all the teams of scientists in the class to show their findings. Work together to present a great program of all the findings you have collected and and the sources you have used. Remember, this is the time to shine.  Dress well for the presentation and you will be respected for your words and presentation. 

5. Evaluate:  Self evaluation is as important as group evaluation.  Fill out the rubrics yourself and also one as a group.  Discuss and evaluate every aspect of this project: 

  • Your presentation to the Federation
  • The process of searching, collecting and evaluating information and resources
  • Your collaboration as a team

  • And any other aspects of this project

Learning advice: Concentrate on finding answers to your questions. Take notes in short phrases or keywords. Be sure to log all the sites and sources you use and validate the authenticity as well as appropriateness of the information you gather. Collect images as you go, not later. Keep all your team work in the envelope provided to you.  And last but not least, cooperate with your team mates.