THE HISTORY OF PLANETARY MOTION

Introduction

THE HISTORY OF PLANETARY MOTION

Planetary motion and the motion of various heavenly bodies is a deep topic which has fascinated humans since our beginning and is still undergoing research. New discoveries are regularly made in this field and we will attempt to give a brief overview.

 

Task

You are a journalist 

and you have to write an article about a scientist  (you choose) who made important discoveries in understanding how planetary motion could be explained.

In your exploration through the history of planetary motion, you have several assignments to complete:

  1. Use the internet to research information about the scientist's life
  2. Use everything you have found (also pictures) to write a journal article for an immaginary scientific magazine "The Scientist"
  3. Create a presentation to tell your classmates about the scientist and his discoveries

This will be a group work so you have to create your group (max 4 people).

 

Process

PART 1

Watch the videos on the padlet page the address of which can be found here :

 http://padlet.com/luisella_bertolaso/planetarymotion4e

 

PART 2

In the video, six really famous scientists were mentioned:

ERATOSTHENES

COPERNICUS

THICO BRAHE

KEPLER

GALILEO

NEWTON

 

You and your partners have to choose one of them and show your decision on this  padlet page (wall)

http://it.padlet.com/alefari11/historyplanetmotion

Here you have to:

  • post an immage of the one you have chosen
  • write the name of the scientist
  • write the names of the components of the group

THE FIRST GROUP  TO WRITE ON THE PAGE IS THE FIRST THAT WILL CHOOSE THE FAVOURITE SCIENTIST - YOU CAN'T CHOOSE A SCIENTIST  THAT HAS BEEN ALREADY CHOSEN BY ANOTHER GROUP 

 

PART 3

Once you and your partners have chosen your scientist, surf the net and find some interesting links about the subject.

For example, here is a website that is full of information :

http://www.famousscientists.org/

Save the address (URL) of the web pages you found interesting and post them on a symbaloo page. You can name the symbaloo page with the name of your scientist. This page will be useful when you present your work.

PART 4

It's time to write the article (max 600-1000 words) for "The Scientist Magazine".

In it, you have to include the following information:

  • your scientist's life
  • his works
  • why he is so famous

 

PART 5

We have arrived almost at the end...

Now,  you have to prepare a presentation (max 15 min) with all materials you  found in your web research.

The works of  all 5 groups will be presented from MARCH 3rd, 2016 in this order:

1) ERATOSTHENES's group

2) COPERNICUS's group

3) THICO BRAHE's group

4) KEPLER's group

5) GALILEO 's group

6) NEWTON's group

All group members are expected to speak

Evaluation

ORAL PRESENTATION RUBRIC

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1 SCORE
PREPAREDNESS Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. Student does not seem at all prepared to present
PRESENCE Very believable that student is giving presentation to their boss and board of directors. Somewhat believable that student is giving presentation to their boss and board of directors Inconsistent to whether or not student was giving presentation to their boss and board of directors. Student did not act like they were giving this presentation to their boss and board of directors
POSTURE/EYE CONTACT Stands up straight, looks relaxed and confident. Establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation. Stands up straight and establishes eye contact with everyone in the room during the presentation. Sometimes stands up straight and establishes eye contact. Slouches and/or does not look at  people during the presentation
VOLUME Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation. Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members
LISTENS TO OTHER PRESENTATION Listens intently. Does not make distracting noises or movements. Listens intently but has one distracting noise or movement Sometimes does not appear to be listening but is not distracting Sometimes does not appear to be listening and has distracting noises or movements

WRITTEN TASK : ARTICLE   RUBRIC

TOPIC 4 3 2 1 SCORE

Organization

(Overall order, flow, and transitions)

 Information is presented in effective order.  Excellent structure of paragraphs and transitions enhances readability and comprehension Information is logically ordered with paragraphs and transitions Information is scattered and needs further development. Details and examples are not organized, are hard to follow and understand

Quality of Information/

Bibliography or Sitography

 Supporting details are specific to topic and provide the necessary information. Some details don’t support the report topic Details are somewhat sketchy. Unable to find specific details
Lead Introductory paragraph is clearly stated, has a sharp, distinct focus and enhances the impact of the report Introductory paragraph is clearly stated with a focus Introductory paragraph is vague Introductory paragraph is not apparent.
Conclusion Concluding paragraph summarizes and draws a clear, effective conclusion and enhances the impact of the report. Concluding paragraph follows and summarizes the report discussion and draws a conclusion. Concluding paragraph is only remotely related to the report topic. Concluding paragraph is not apparent.
Grammar & Spelling No spelling or grammatical errors. Fewer than 3 grammatical or spelling errors. Three to five grammatical or spelling errors Numerous grammatical and/or spelling errors.
Title really catchy and making use of techniques to involve the reader quite involving and well chosen involving but could be improved plain

Conclusion

CONGRATULATIONS!!!    

You have used your knowledge to write a scientific article. 

You have also used your speaking ability to share it with your classmates. 

Who knows? This may be the beginning of a new career. We are proud of your hard work!