Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - STEM
DON’T PANIC! Earth is scheduled for demolition, but you are off on an intergalactic journey to explore the universe and all the alien life it contains.
Introduction
This is an interdisciplinary expedition! Students are highly encouraged to register for the STEM and Humanities expeditions!
DON’T PANIC!
Earth is scheduled for demolition, but you are off on an intergalactic journey to explore the universe and all the alien life it contains. In this expedition, we’ll explore the (fictional) universe as depicted in Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, while also considering everything we know about the (not fictional) universe and the potential for life on other planets. We will consider the future of humanity, technology, space exploration, and even discover the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything (spoiler: it’s 42).
🌌🚀🔭🦠
Other Important Information:
NOTE: Students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to enroll in BOTH the STEM and humanities sections of this expedition. If a student is taking ONLY the STEM section of this expedition, they will need access to the video (it’s available on Amazon Prime Video)
Essential Questions
- What is natural selection and how does it shape modern species?
- What role does genetic diversity play in natural selection?
- How are species classified for study?
- Why do some species survive and others go extinct?
- How do we model the motion of objects in space? Why do we observe this motion?
- When an object is free to move in more than one direction, how is their motion modeled?
- How do fluid particles interact and how do we model their movements?
- Why are orbits designed with different Keplarian elements? How do these affect the usability of these orbits?
- What is light and how does it interact with matter?
- What is sound?
- How are variations in wave properties observed?
- Why are wave properties important and what do they tell us about the wave?
- Why are certain specific wave types used for specific purposes?
Learning Objectives
- Create and analyze evolutionary trees.
- Describe how and why species extinction occurs.
- Describe the factors influencing evolution and adaptation.
- Describe multidimensional forces and motion using vectors.
- Understand the Law of Universal Gravitation and how this causes the circular (elliptical) motion of satellites and planets.
- Describe and analyze projectile motion.
- Explain general relativity.
- Describe the characteristics and features of sound and electromagnetic waves.
- Model optical phenomenon using lenses and mirrors through reflection and refraction.