5. GEMS Guides vs. GEMS Sequences part 1 GEMS Guides GEMS Sequences Supplementary curriculum. Core curriculum can be built from and around them. Intentionally designed as core curriculum . 2 to 12 sessions long. A few weeks long (32 sessions for 6-8 Space Science Sequence). Content goals arise from engaging experiences Content goals selectively chosen to reflect key ideas and standards. Some assessment included. Assessment more explicit and frequent.

6. GEMS Guides vs. GEMS Sequences part 2 GEMS Guides GEMS Sequences Includes ideas for going further. Going further activities tied to critical junctures in student understanding. Includes student activities on CD. Management tips and science content background included. Management tips, content background, key concepts and vocabulary, and more, are laid out with lesson write-ups. Thoughtfully planned and thoroughly tested. Thoughtfully planned and thoroughly tested. Materials obtainable without kit, but kits are available. Materials obtainable without kit, but kits are available.

7. Features Designed to Maximize Ease of Use , Helpful Guidance , and Flexibility Left-hand pages — Step-by-step procedure for getting ready and presenting the lessons. — First line introduction and summary of each step is bold. Right-hand pages — Science Notes – science content as you need it. — Class management suggestions. — Critical Junctures: Assessing and reinforcing key concepts. — Alternative and additional activities. — Pedagogically educative material. CD-ROM — Presentation features for teachers. — Activities and explorations for students. — Archive of all printed student material and transparencies.

14. Post on Concept Wall: Scientists use models to demonstrate ideas, explain observations, and make predictions.

16. Scale for football field model: 1 yard = 2 million miles 10 yards = 20 million miles 50 yards = 100 million miles Distance from the Earth to the Sun = 93 million miles If the Sun is roughly 1 million miles in diameter, how large should we make the Sun in this model? One half yard If the Earth is roughly 8,000 miles in diameter, how large should we make the Earth in this model? 1/200 of a yard The distance is about 5,000,000 out of 150,000,000 or 3%

17. Post on Concept Wall: Earth travels around the Sun in nearly a circular orbit. The Sun is very close to the center of the Earth’s orbit

22. Session 2.2 Does Variation in the Sun-Earth Distance Cause the Seasons?

23. Post on Concept Wall: Patterns of average-temperature change (and seasons) are opposite for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

26. Post on Concept Wall: Earth’s tilt does not significantly change its distance from the Sun.

27. Session 2.3 Hours of Daylight and Seasons

28. Session 2.4 Observing Seasons

29. Session 2.5 Intensity of Sunlight

30. Session 2.6 The Reasons for Seasons

32. Statement #3: In summer, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. This tilt makes sunlight more intense in summer. Do you agree or disagree? Why? What is the evidence for or against this statement? Evidence Circle question:

34. Unit 2 Results

35. Pre-Post Questionnaires for Each Unit Measure Conceptual Understanding of Key Space Science Concepts For grades 6-8, the primary key concepts focus on: Unit 1 — Energy from the Sun — Earth’s protective shields Unit 2 — Day length and temperatures around the world, over the seasons — Angle and intensity of sunlight, over the seasons Unit 3 — Categories of solar system objects — Diversity, scale, and motion of solar system objects Unit 4 — Scale of the Universe — Hierarchical organization of the Universe