OBJECTIVE:

• Students will be able to use research skills and reliable information sources in order to evaluate the scientific validity of cosmological theories. 

Curriculum Alignment:

• BCPS GT Science 7 Unit: Astronomy
• MD State Curriculum Standard 2.0 Earth/Space Science - Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the chemical and physical interactions (i.e., natural forces and cycles, transfer of energy) of the environment, Earth, and the universe that occur over time.
• National Science Standard D - Earth and Space Science: As a result of their activities in grades K-12, all students should develop an understanding of the energy in the earth system, geochemical cycles, the origin and evolution of the earth system, and the origin and evolution of the universe. 

Note: We will research science-based theories about the origin of the universe. While religion-based creation theories will not be addressed in the context of this Science research, this lesson makes no commentary on or claim against such theories.

VOCABULARY                                                                                

cosmology - The study of the history, evolution, structure, and dynamics of the universe.

• Imagine the Universe Dictionary 

QUESTIONS                                                                           

Essential Question:  Is this cosmological theory scientifically valid? Why or why not?

• Who developed this theory and when?
• What are its claims about:
• How the universe was created?
• How the universe has evolved over time?
• The age of the universe?
• The size of the universe? 
• What will happen to the universe in the future? 

Some COSMOLOGICAL THEORIES  (You may find others; get approval from Mr. Barth)

1. Big Bang theory

2. Inflationary Universe theories (IUTs)
3. Steady-state theory
4. String theory
5. Closed Universe, Big Crunch
6. Open Universe, Ever-expanding 
7. Bouncing Universe/Big Bounce theory

8. Protouniverse theory 

9. Bubble Universe / Andre Linde's Self Creating Universe

10. Hawking-Turok Instanton Theory 

11. Multiverse theory 
12. Plasma theory 

RESOURCES                                                            

Overview Articles:

• The Cosmos
• Cosmos for Kids.com: Universe 
• Universe (from World Book Student database)   Universe (from InfoPlease)
• Origins and Destiny of the Universe (from NASA's Imagine the Universe) 
• Creating a Universe: Creation Theories 
• Top 10 Universe Creation Theories (some on this list are not scientific theories) 
• Three Theories That Might Blow Up the Big Bang
• Origin of the Universe (Click link to Page 2 at bottom. Note: This article is biased against/in favor of certain theories.)


BCPS-Licensed Databases

	x
Research databases	x	*You must only  use Websites Scientific journals, publications, or organizations.

 

Websites

• Cosmic Calendar: The History of the Universe
• Universe 101 (NASA) 
• Story of the Universe 
• The Big Bang Theory - It Sure Was Big!
• Skeptical Investigations: Cosmology (includes Big Bang, Steady State, Plasma cosmology theories) 
• Plasma Cosmology 
• The End of the Universe: Big Crunch or Big Bang? 
•