Standards Addressed

Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy

Habits of Mind - Values and Attitudes - Grades 9 through 12

• Know why curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism (about asteroid mining) are so highly regarded in science and how they are incorporated into the way science is carried out; exhibit those traits in their own lives and value them in others.
• View science and technology (asteroid mining technology feasibility) thoughtfully, being neither categorically antagonistic nor uncritically positive.

• Large numbers of chunks of rock orbit the sun. (asteroids are just one type of these rocks)

• Insist that the critical (asteroid mining) assumptions behind any line of reasoning be made explicit so that the validity of the position being taken whether one's own or that of others—can be judged.
• Be aware, when considering (asteroid mining) claims, that when people try to prove a point, they may select only the data that support it and ignore any that would contradict it.

• The value of any given technology may be different for different groups of people and at different points in time.
• (asteroid mining) risk analysis is used to minimize the likelihood of unwanted side effects of a new technology. The public perception of risk may depend, however, on psychological factors as well as scientific ones.

• Technological knowledge (asteroid mining techniques) is not always as freely shared as scientific knowledge unrelated to technology. Some scientists and engineers are comfortable working in situations in which some secrecy is required, but others prefer not to do so.
• Social and economic forces (asteroid mining feasibility) strongly influence which technologies will be developed and used. Which will prevail is affected by many factors, such as personal values, consumer acceptance, the availability of risk capital, media attention, economic competition, and tax incentives.
• In deciding on proposals to introduce new technologies (asteroid mining) or to curtail existing ones, some key questions arise concerning alternatives, risks, costs, and benefits. What alternative ways are there to achieve the same ends, and how do the alternatives compare to the plan being put forward? Who benefits and who suffers?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Technology Education
Chapter 123. Subchapter D. Exploratory, High School

(3) Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

• (A) analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations (suggestions for how to mine asteroids), including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information

Synthesis

Recombine scientific knowledge about asteroid mining for six episodes in an educational fictional story.

Combine scientific facts about asteroids, scientific habits of mind, technology feasibility studies, etc. into an entertaining educational setting.

Conclusion

During this WebQuest you learned:

• The feasibility of mining asteroids.
• Critically reviewing leading-edge technology proposals scientifically.
• Writing an educational short story.
• Building puppets.
• How to be a puppeteer.
• Filming an educational short story.
• The value of scientific habits of mind.

Evaluation

This WebQuest can be assessed using rubrics for scientific research and rubrics for puppet shows.

Here is a list of assessment rubrics

Go back to WebQuest: Introduction / Task / Process and Resources

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