Semakula Close, Muyenga.

P.O. Box 9378,

Kampala – Uganda.
Tel: +256.772.630.755; +256.708.227.332
primarybsk@gmail.com |http://www
.bskampala.com

Year 5 PBL: Earth and Space

Driving question: How can we as young Scientists investigate and understand the wonders of Earth and Space?

Entry point: A video on a rocket launch or a time-lapse of the night sky.

Real-world Context: In this project, students will embark on a virtual journey through the cosmos, exploring Earth,
planets, stars, and beyond. By studying real-world phenomena through the lens of Earth and space, students will
deepen their understanding of the universe and our place within it.

Student Voice and Choice: Students will have the opportunity to choose specific topics of interest within the realm
of Earth and space to investigate further, allowing them to personalize their learning experience. They can decide
on the format of their final project, whether it be a presentation, a model, a report, or any other creative medium.

21st Century Skills:

In-depth Inquiry: Students will engage in hands-on activities such as creating scale models of the solar system,
investigating the phases of the moon, and exploring the impact of space exploration on society. Through research,
experimentation, and observation, students will develop a deeper understanding of Earth and space sciences.

Collaboration: Throughout the project, students will work in small groups to leverage their collective skills and knowledge.
Collaborative activities such as designing a lunar habitat or researching Mars exploration missions will encourage
teamwork, leadership, communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and respect for diverse perspectives

Reflection: Through regular journaling and group discussions, students will reflect on their learning process, share insights
gained, and identify areas for further exploration. Reflections will help students track their progress, understand their
growth, and make connections between different concepts.

Critique and Revision: A culture of peer feedback will be cultivated within the classroom, where students provide
constructive criticism to each other. Students will then use this feedback to revise and improve their work continuously,
fostering a growth mindset and a commitment to quality.
Public Product: Students will culminate their learning journey by creating a collaborative digital presentation showcasing
their findings and insights about Earth and space. This public product will be shared with parents, other classes, and
possibly even the wider school community.

Teacher Facilitation: The teacher will act as a facilitator, guiding students in their research, asking probing questions, and
providing resources for further exploration. By stepping back as the primary source of information, the teacher will
empower students to take ownership of their learning.

Project link to the curriculum: This project will seamlessly integrate math, science, art, English, and computing. Students
will use mathematical calculations to determine planetary distances, create artistic representations of space phenomena,
write narratives about fictional space adventures, and utilize technology to enhance their presentations.

Assessment: Formative assessments will include peer evaluations, teacher observations, and self-assessments to track
student progress and understanding. Summative assessments will involve evaluating the final presentation based on
established rubrics that assess content knowledge, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.
 Timeline
Week Activities

2 Introduction and entry point:

-A video of a rocket launch or a time-lapse of the night sky.
-Share their initial thoughts and questions about the video.

3 Research on Space Exploration:

Students research and present on past and current space exploration missions,
discussing the importance of these missions and what we have learned about
space.

4& Modeling Planetary Movement:

5 Students can create models to demonstrate how planets move around the sun and the
concept of orbits. Create a Solar System Model:
In groups, students can construct a scale model of the solar system, showcasing the
relative sizes and distances of the planets.

6 Seasonal Changes Investigation:

Students can explore the reasons behind seasonal changes like summer, winter, fall, and
spring, linking these changes to the Earth's position relative to the sun.

7 Day and Night Simulation:

Using a light source and a globe, students can simulate the Earth's rotation to understand
the concept of day and night.

8 Moon Phase Observations:

Students can track and record the phases of the moon over a period of time, learning about
lunar cycles.

9 Rocket Launch Experiment:

Students engage in a rocket launch experiment where they design and build their
own rockets using simple materials like paper, straws, and tape.