Assignments: written and oral discussion and alternative assessments

1)	Many cultures have a creation myth or story, often in the form of a fairytale.
      From the scientific information discussing the Big Bang and the history of the 
      Universe, write a child’s story or create a picture book. 

2)	Take one aspect of the UniverseAdventure.org and explain how scientists used the scientific method to investigate that topic.

3)	How, from a ‘beginning’ described by a few parameters and principles (e.g. laws of physics), did our Universe evolve into its present complexity?

4)	Can we understand at a deeper level, why the Universe is the way it is?

5)	Often in science the question of precision is dealt with.  Why is it of extreme importance when looking at the temperature of the CMB?

6)	During the first second the universe expanded by 10^30.  What does that mean?  Give an example of this scale of expansion.

7)	Write an essay discussing the evidence of the Big Bang.  Your first paragraph should introduce the Big Bang Theory and list the evidence scientists use to support the theory.   Each body paragraph should explain in detail one type of evidence focusing on how it supports the theory.  Your final paragraph should summarize your major points.

8)	Diagram and discuss the history and fate of the Universe.  Starting at the beginning, describe the progression of the Universe through time focusing on the scientific concepts, discoveries, and logic that revealed this history.  To help demonstrate major points you describe, include at least three sketches of various times.

9)	Make a poster that demonstrates our location in the universe.  Try to get some sense of the sizes involved although it does not have to be done to scale.

10)	Make a comparison poster that shows the formation of lighter elements versus heavier elements.  Make sure to demonstrate where and when each type is formed as well as why they were formed differently.  

11)	Construct a flipbook diagramming how structures evolved in the Universe.  Start with inflation and progress through all the stages including large-scale structures such as Super clusters we see in the universe today.

12)	 Pick a major concept or scientific law discussed in the website and make a video demonstrating that concept or law.

13)	 Research one of the following topics to present to the class:
                   a) dark matter     b) string theory     c) life cycle of a star   d) dark energy

14)	 Research one of these space observation projects: SNAP, Spitzer, Hubble, Chandra, Keck, WMAP, NRAO, Compton, or another your teacher has approved.  Prepare an oral report to present to the class that answers the following questions:  
1.	What questions these observations hope to answer.
2.	What types of electromagnetic radiation &/or other data are they going to collect.
3.	How will they use that data to answer their questions (the scientific laws / applications they are using)? 
4.	Any snags, difficulties, new technologies involved in their project. 
5.	Other interesting facts, laws, etc. that you learned researching this project.