Unit TitleUniversal Gravitation, Speed

of Light, and Special Relativity

Vision• Student groups will create a research

presentation which answers specific questions about “History of Classical Gravitational Theory” and “General Relativity.

• Students will realize they can research and understand difficult topics and present it in a medium that helps others to understand.

Vision• Students will realize scientific theory

and discoveries impact scientific thought and society

• The students communicate and apply scientific information…through technology based reports.

Guidelines• Each team member must make a definite

and documented contribution to the presentation. The role of each student must be clearly stated.

• Each team should be prepared to give the presentation.

• The presentation must include at least two references from which information is drawn.

• Presentation should not exceed 10 minutes.

History of Classical Gravitational Theory Questions

• Give a brief overview of how gravity and motion of the planets was viewed historically before Newton. Include vies of Aristotle, Galileo, and Kepler.

History of Classical Gravitational Theory Questions

• Generally describe the life and time of Isaac Newton, including his personal life. Describe his major scientific contributions, including his contribution to the theory of gravity.

• What was the major contribution of Henry Cavendish to the Universal Law of Gravitation?

General Relativity Questions• What role does the equivalence of the

inertial and gravitational properties of mass play in the development of general relativity?

• How does gravity correspond to the bending of the space-time fabric?

• What is the Schwarzschild radius?

General Relativity Questions• What are black holes, and are they

real?• How does gravity bend light? What is

gravitational lensing?• What are worm holes, and are they

real?• What predictions of general relativity

have been verified, if any?

Essential Question• How do history and science relate?

Unit Questions• What is the relationship between

gravity and general relativity?

CFQ’SContent Questions

• Research and describe the historical development of the concepts of gravitational forces and general relativity.

CFQ’SContent Questions

• Describe motion relative to different frames of reference.

• Explain the scientific contributions of a variety of historical and contemporary scientists on scientific thought and society.

Gauging Student Needs Assessment

• I will use a survey to see what the students know or think they know.

Gauging Student Needs Assessment

• Brainstorm to see how the surveys compare and see if students know anything for prior research or knowledge or do they use just what they have heard other speculate about.

• Question students to see how sure they are of their prior knowledge.

Gauging Student Needs Assessment

• After projects have been completed will brainstorm again to find out what the students think about the new information.– What did they learn new?– What surprised them about the new

information?– How do they think this will affect them

in the future?

How Will The Assessment Info Help?

• How to direct the student research• To confirm that they are really

researching instead of relying on prior misinformation.

Feedback

• How students can do presentation other than power point

• Other ways to asses• Final assessment ideas