How has Canada contributed to global scientific space exploration?
In a Grade 9 interdisciplinary classroom, learners had developed research skills and analyzed sources for credibility and reliability. They co-constructed a rubric for collaboration and had a good understanding of what it means to contribute positively to a group project. This project was the next step in applying those skills while achieving the science learning outcomes related to Canadian contributions in space. Each class was a full afternoon (2.5 hours).
The class began by brainstorming how space research has made positive contributions to everyday lives. As they did so, learners discovered they needed to do some preliminary research and broke into groups to discover more findings. Very quickly, the groups came up with television broadcasting, weather forecasting, mobile communications, water purification, heart monitors, ultrasound scanners, laser surgery, resource mapping, navigation, protective clothing, advanced structural design, robotics, solar power, sewage treatment, and even shock-absorbing athletic shoes. They discovered that all these advancements were developed by space research.
In groups of three, learners were tasked with answering the question, “How has Canada contributed to space projects?” They generated a list of topics to research either about a specific person or project impacted by Canadian efforts such as the following:
Space Projects:
Space People (Astronauts):
Once topics were chosen, the teacher asked the groups to develop a plan for the three-day (about seven to eight hours) assignment. Each group member shared their strengths as collaborators with their groups: one felt they listened and summarized effectively, another felt their strength was keeping everyone on track, and the third felt they asked helpful, clarifying questions. Using a co-constructed collaboration rubric, they also as a group identified what they perceived to be their challenges in collaboration and set a goal to improve.
Recognizing each other’s strengths and supporting the group goal, the groups used the rest of the class to research their topics, keeping track of their sources and analyzing each source for credibility and usefulness. They kept a log chart listing the source on one side and their reasoning for whether it was credible on the other. Groups were encouraged to start a Google Doc or a Teams file to share the information they were collecting. This effort was to ensure equitable contribution to the common goal and to hold each other accountable for the work being done independently.
Toward the end of the class, the groups reconvened to share what they had learned and discuss what information they felt was missing and should be pursued in the next class.
The following day, groups began by meeting and dividing the remaining research tasks. While on Day 1 learners may have looked at similar information, on Day 2, the teacher asked them to be more strategic in their research. At the one-hour mark, groups met to discuss what they felt needed to be highlighted and to come up with a plan for the next day’s presentation. At this point, some members of the group began creating a PowerPoint presentation while others continued the research.
On Day 3, the first part of the class was designated for completing their PowerPoint or other media presentation and rehearsing. Learners were reminded that since every group had a different topic, they were experts in the class: their job was to teach others the important and interesting information about their topic and to evaluate the impact of the person/project on Canada’s space program based on the evidence they had gathered.
Because of time limitations, presentation skills were not assessed (although this could easily be added). Instead, after the presentations, all members completed a reflection that asked them to consider their collaboration and critical thinking skills during this three-day period. They were asked to reflect on their process to find credible sources and on how they had reached their collaboration goals as a group.
Maclean’s. “5 Canadian Space Inventions (That Aren’t the Canadarm).” Blog of Lists, 7 Aug. 2012.
Canadian Space Agency. Canadian Astronauts. 17 Nov. 2023.
Canadian Space Agency. Canadian Space Milestones. 25 July 2024.
