This document outlines an educational activity designed for students to reflect on communication with an alien species by answering various questions about national pride, Earth's qualities, and possible improvements before a hypothetical alien visit. Students will work in small groups and prepare to share their thoughts, fostering deeper understanding and critical thinking about humanity's place in the universe. The activity is part of a larger lesson plan within the 'First Contact Big History Project.'

1. TEACHER MATERIALS
Page 1
Purpose
This activity will give students a chance to review some of what they learned in this lesson, and use it to think more deeply about what and how they would communicate with an
alien species.
Process
Have students get into small groups. Tell them to imagine that scientists have received a response radio transmission coming from the M13 star cluster, in the same binary-pictorial
format as our Arecibo Message. Together with their team, have them answer the questions on the worksheet in preparation for sending another message to M13
• What is national pride? Think back on history and list five good things about national pride and five things that are maybe not so good about national pride.
• Imagine you are communicating with another intelligent civilization on another planet. What are 10 things about Earth that give you “planet pride” that you would like to share
with this other civilization?
• What things would you like to ask this alien planetary civilization about their world?
• What would you ask this civilization that might help us improve life on Earth?
• Imagine that this alien civilization was planning to visit Earth. What would you like to change or “cleanup” here on Earth before they got here? Do you think other Earthlings
would join you in these efforts?
FIRST CONTACT
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.3 ACTIVITY

2. Name: Date:
STUDENT MATERIALS
Page 1
Purpose
This activity will give you a chance to review some of what you’ve learned in this lesson, and use it to think more deeply about what and how you would communicate with an alien
species.
Process
Get into small groups. Imagine that scientists have received a response radio transmission coming from the M13 star cluster, in the same binary-pictorial format as our Arecibo
Message. Together with your team, answer the questions on the worksheet in preparation for sending another message to M13. Be prepared to share your answers with the class.
What is national pride? Think back on history and list five good things about national pride and five things that are maybe not so good about national pride.
Imagine you are communicating with another intelligent civilization on another planet. What are 10 things about Earth that give you “planet pride” that you would like to share with
this other civilization?
FIRST CONTACT
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.3 ACTIVITY

3. Name: Date:
STUDENT MATERIALS
Page 1
What things would you like to ask this alien planetary civilization about their world?
What would you ask this civilization that might help us improve life on Earth?
Imagine that this alien civilization was planning to visit Earth. What would you like to change or “cleanup” here on Earth before they got here? Do you think other Earthlings would
join you in these efforts?
FIRST CONTACT
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.3 ACTIVITY