Feeling down? This will cheer you up. Imagine there's been a mass extinction event and you will survive only if you figure out a way to leave the planet. Register to explore the whole course here: https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive?WT.mc_id=Slideshare12202017

1. TEACHER MATERIALS
Page 1
FLEEING THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH (PART 1)
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.4 ACTIVITY
Purpose
In this activity, students are faced with a challenge that forces them to consider what they would do and where they would go if they had to flee the surface of the Earth. Not only
does this challenge help them apply the scientific knowledge and methods that they will learn about in this lesson and the next, it also pushes them to work like scientists. Students
create hypotheses based on the challenge, and then modify and support their hypotheses throughout the next two lessons as they learn more.
Process
Tell students to imagine that Earth is facing a mass extinction event. This extinction event is going to make the surface of the Earth uninhabitable, but they are being given an
opportunity to flee to an uninhabited place on beneath the Earth’s surface, the Moon, or another planet in the Universe in the next 365 days. Where would they go? Why and when
would they go there? How would they get there? Working in groups, they’re going to try to answer this question, and as they learn more in the next two lessons, their group is going
to revise and clarify their answer to ensure that their plan is supported by as much science as possible.
Split the students into groups (of your choosing or theirs—they’ll be with these groups a few more times during this lesson and the next), and ensure each group has a copy of the
Fleeing the Surface of the Earth (Part 1) Worksheet. Each group should take about 10 minutes to come up with a hypothesis about where they’ll go, why they would go there, when
they would go, and how they would get there. They should also come up with some ideas about how they would ensure their survival once they arrived. Tell them to be as scientific
as they can, but that they can also get creative with some of their answers.
If time allows, find out where each group has decided to go and why. Collect the worksheets when everyone is done; they will be used as a reference for the closing activity of this
lesson.

2. Name: Date:
STUDENT MATERIALS
Page 1
FLEEING THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH (PART 1)
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.4 ACTIVITY
Purpose
In this activity, you’re faced with a challenge that forces you to consider what you would do and where you would go if you had to flee the surface of the Earth. This challenge will
help you apply the scientific knowledge and methods that you’ll learn about in this lesson and the next, and it will also push you to work like scientists. You’ll create hypotheses
based on the challenge, and then modify and support your hypotheses throughout the next two lessons as you learn more.
Process
Imagine Earth is facing a mass extinction event. This extinction event is going to make the surface of the Earth uninhabitable, but you are being given an opportunity to flee to an
uninhabited place beneath the Earth’s surface, the Moon, or another planet in the Universe in the next 365 days. In groups, you are going to try to answer this question, and as you
learn more in the next two lessons, your group is going to revise and clarify your answer to this question to make sure that your plan is supported by as much science as possible.
Your teacher will divide you into groups. Your group should take about 10 minutes to come up with a hypothesis about where you’ll go, why you would go there, when you would go,
and how you would get there. You must also come up with some ideas about how you would ensure your survival once you’ve arrived at your new home. Be as scientific as you
can, but you can also get creative with some of your answers. Be prepared to share where you group decided to go and why.

3. Name: Date:
STUDENT MATERIALS
Page 2
FLEEING THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH (PART 1)
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 4.4 ACTIVITY
Directions: Working in groups, read the scenario, and then address the three questions to form a outline of your plan for fleeing the surface of the Earth.
Scenario
An asteroid is on a collision course with Earth! We only have a one year before where you’re sitting is ground zero for a major impact and the surface of our planet becomes
unsuitable for life. If humans are to survive as a species, we need to take action—and fast. Your team has been assembled by governmental agencies around the world to devise a
means of survival for the human race. You’ll have to work (really) fast. With your group, address the following questions to form the outline of your plan. Later, you will revisit these
answers and refine them based on additional information.
You might be tempted to simply answer with “To Space!” but where, exactly? The Moon? Mars? At the same time, are there options that might allow us to remain on our own planet,
such as deep caverns? Undersea installations? Each represents a resource-intensive effort and we won’t have time or materials to attempt every idea.
Where should we go?
What is the timeline for your plan? How long will it take to get ready? How early will you go?
How do we get there?
How will the new home for the human race get built? How will you reach it? Once you’re there, how will you ensure you’re survival for the foreseeable future?