Hubble Deep Field (partial)

Exploring the Universe!

Reports from a Workshop Presented by NASA for Girl Scouts of the USA
November 14-18, 2003

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Structure and Evolution of the Universe
Theme: Our place in the Space

Modeling the Universe

Summary:

Use a wide selection of fun materials to form models of the universe and discuss what makes models useful in science and why.
Nuclear Explosion: "Models can show what we sew"
Black Hole
Interactive Black Hole
Spinning galaxy with dark matter
Expanding Universe
Note the "Asteroid Belt" & Exploding/collapsing stars
Spiral galaxy

Brief Description:

What are examples of models?
What are models used for?
What are non-physical models that we are familiar with?

What is the universe

No model can represent everything. As new observations are made, models continue to change.

Each team creates a model of the universe. First the team needs to select some aspect. What feature shall the model represent? What does it leave out? Misrepresent? What questions came up as the team developed the model?

Complete Directions and Worksheet

Additional resources provided: "Cosmic Questions: Our place in space and time, Educator's Guide"

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