Astrobiology: Science Learning Activities for Afterschool

The science of astrobiology is concerned with the question of whether or not life exists on other planets. This educator's guide presents eight activities in which younger students investigate this question and explore topics related to the search for life beyond their own planet by using some of the same strategies that astrobiologists use. They will express their opinions on the existence of alien life in a survey, compare living to non-living objects, investigate the observable characteristics of living things, and learn about the conditions necessary for living things to survive. They will expand their thinking to consider microbes as living things, and match recently discovered life forms with the extreme environments in which they live. Then the students will examine images of planets, moons, and the sun, read about the environmental conditions on each, and try to decide if any of these bodies might support life. In a final activity, they will revisit their ideas, repeat the survey of the opening activity, and look for information and evidence that influenced their current opinions. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary, Middle school