Pluto: Ninth Planet or Not! Nine Models of Teaching! Nine Lessons!
Advanced Organizer for Educator Workshop
9 Big Questions/9 Models of Teaching/9 Lessons
The nine lessons presented here are shaped by nine models of teaching* --serving a two-fold purpose: first, to provide a thematic approach, built around the study of the Solar System, in this case focusing on nine big questions about Pluto; and second to provide a diversity of instructional approaches as a way to add breadth and depth to the teacher's repertoire.
Each model of teaching is described, follwed by a background discussion of the science content, and a walk though of the lesson itself. The first lesson (in the center) serves as an active introduction involving the whole group. Participants will explore the lessons described around the circle in smaller groups, to share later in a grand plenary culmination experience.
*Joyce, B. and Weil, M. (1986). Models of Teaching. Englewood Cliffs: NJ.
1) How do we begin to think about planets?
Nondirective Teaching Model
The Planet You: Experiential Exploration Activity Using the Theory of Multiple Intelligences
2) What is Pluto?
Concept Attainment Model
Pluto's Ambiguity
3) How was Pluto discovered?
Inquiry Training Model
The Search, The Discovery, The Naming
4) Where is Pluto Today?
Memorization Model
Distances in the Solar System
5) How did Pluto Get there?
Synectics Model I
Solar System Foundation: The Solar Nebular Theory
6) How do Pluto and its Moon Interact?
Synectics Model II
As Paolo and Francesca, So Pluto and Charon
7) Where Will Pluto Be?
Science Inquiry Model
Orbital Mechanics
8) What more can we learn about Pluto?
Group Investigation Model
Science Definition Team
9) How do we explore Pluto and beyond?
Role Playing Model
Mission Planning: Developing Project Team Skills
Pluto: Ninth Planet or Not! Educator Workshop Resources
In Pluto & Charon: Ice Worlds on the Ragged edge of the Solar System by Alan Stern and Jacqueline Mitton (1998), New York: John Wiley & Sons, one of the finest and most readable books about Pluto, these suggested readings are listed:
General Articles
In Scientific American, 134 (1930), various articles: "Planet X" (p. 20); "How Pluto's orbit was figured out" (p.364); "More about Pluto" (p.446).
"The discovery of Pluto" by H. Giclas. Icarus, 44, 7-11 (1980).
"The discovery of Pluto: Some generally unknown aspects of the story" by C.W. Tombaugh. Mercury, 15, pp. 66-72 (Part I) and pp. 98-102 (Part II) (1986).
"Discovering Pluto's atmosphere" by J. K. Beatty and A. Killan. Sky and Telescope, 76, pp. 624-627 (1988).
"Pluto: The planet that came in from the cold" by N. Henbest. New Scientist, 122 (1662), pp. 39-44 (1989).
"Pluto" by R. P. Binzel.
"Where has Pluto's family gone?" by A. Stern. Astronomy, 20 (9), pp. 40-47 (1992).
"The last world" By D. Sobel. Discover, 14 (5), pp. 68-76 (1993).
"At the edge of night: Pluto and Charon" by R. Burnham. Astronomy, 22(1), pp. 40-47 (1994).
"To Pluto by way of a postage stamp" by R.L. Staehle, R.J. Terrile, and S.S. Weinstein. The Planetary Report, 14(5), pp.4-11 (1994).
"Hot science on a cryogenic world" by A. Stern. The Planetary Report, 14(5) p.8 (1994).
"Trip to Pluto" by R.L. Staehle and others. Spaceflight, 36, pp.101-104 (Part I) and pp.140-143 (Part II) (1994).
"Pluto and company" by P. Spence, I. Seymour, P. Bond, and S. Clark (four-article feature). Astronomy Now, 9(5), pp.37-47(1995).
"The discovery of Charon" by J. Christy. In Pluto and Charon (S.A. Stern & D.J. Tholen, eds.) University of Arizona Press, 1997.
"Clyde Tombaugh" (obituary), by Alan Stern, Nature.
Nontechnical Books
Scientific Monthly by W. Putnam and V. Slipher, 34, 5-21 (1932).
The Search for Planet X by Tony Simon. Basic Books (1962).
Planets X and Pluto by W.G. Hoyt. University of Arizona press (1980).
Out of the Darkness: The Planet Pluto by C. Tombaugh and P. Moore. Stackpole Books (USA) and Lutterworth press (UK) (1980).
The Planet Pluto by A.J. Whyte. Pergamon Press (1980).
The New Solar System (J.K. Beatty & A. Chaikin, eds.) Cambridge University Press and Sky Publishing Corporation (1990) (3rd ed.).
Clyde Tombaugh: Discoverer of Planet Pluto by D.H. Levy. University of Arizona Press (1991).
Exploring Planetary Worlds by D. Morrison. Scientific American Library (1993).
Relevant Web Sites
Fran Bagenal, University of Colorado
NASA/JPL's Pluto Kuiper Express Mission
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
Last Modified: 2007-09-21 at 12:08:59 -- this is in International Standard Date and Time Notation