Galaxy in a Jar: Create and Visualize Your Own Galaxy
Created byRyan Baxter
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Galaxy in a Jar: Create and Visualize Your Own Galaxy

Grade 3ScienceArt1 days
Galaxy in a Jar is a project designed for third-grade students that combines science and art to deepen their understanding of galaxies through hands-on activities. Students explore galaxy characteristics, locate Earth's position in the Milky Way, and learn to represent data visually with graphs. They create artistic 'galaxy jars' that integrate scientific data with creativity, fostering a dual exploration of astronomical concepts and artistic representation. The project encourages critical thinking through inquiry-based learning, interactive engagement, and creative expression.
GalaxyMilky WayArtistic RepresentationData VisualizationScience and Art IntegrationElementary Education
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create a galaxy in a jar that combines scientific understanding of galaxies with artistic representation, while showcasing Earth's place in the Milky Way?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What is a galaxy and what are its main characteristics?
  • How can we identify Earth's location within the Milky Way galaxy?
  • What artistic techniques can we use to represent data visually?
  • How can we use charts or graphs to provide information about galaxies?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will define what a galaxy is and describe its main characteristics.
  • Students will identify Earth's location within the Milky Way galaxy.
  • Students will create a galaxy jar that artistically represents scientific data about galaxies.
  • Students will use charts or graphs to represent data visually about galaxies.
  • Students will apply artistic techniques to create a visual representation of a galaxy in a jar.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

3-PS2-1
Primary
Define and identify characteristics and components of galaxies, including Earth's location within the Milky Way.Reason: Focus is on defining and identifying galaxy components, which aligns with the project's objective to define galaxies and locate Earth within the Milky Way.

Common Core Standards for Mathematics

3.MD.B.3
Primary
Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step 'how many more' and 'how many less' problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs.Reason: The project involves representing data on charts or graphs, which aligns with the use of scaled graphs for visual data representation in the project.

National Core Arts Standards

VA:Cr2.1.3
Secondary
Create personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic processes and materials.Reason: Aligns with the artistic representation aspect of the project, where students create artwork using various materials.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Galactic Mystery Box

Students are greeted with a locked box in the classroom labeled 'Galactic Secrets.' Inside, they discover a mysterious note and astronomical tools that hint at galaxies and artistic expressions. This sparks curiosity, as students must decode clues to determine how science intertwines with art, leading them to their project of creating galaxy jars.

Virtual Astronaut Message

A 'special transmission' video from a virtual astronaut appears on the smartboard, asking for help from young scientists and artists to create galaxy models that assist in teaching others about the universe. This transmission invites students to think like both scientists and artists to visually communicate space concepts.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Galactic Detective Investigation

Students will become detectives and explore various resources to gather information on galaxies. They will learn about what galaxies are, the main characteristics they have, and where Earth is located within the Milky Way galaxy.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Introduce students to a variety of books and articles about galaxies. Include videos and interactive digital content for them to explore.
2. Have students take notes on what they learn about the different types of galaxies and the specific characteristics of the Milky Way.
3. Guide students to locate Earth's position within the Milky Way using interactive models or software.
4. Encourage students to share their findings in a small group discussion to reinforce their understanding.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive note sheet detailing the types of galaxies and Earth's position within the Milky Way.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS 3-PS2-1 - Understanding galaxy components and Earth's location within the Milky Way.
Activity 2

Data Star Chart Creator

In this activity, students will create star charts to visually represent data about galaxies. They will learn how to use graphs to display information in an artistic manner.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Teach students about scaled picture graphs and bar graphs. Use examples related to galaxy data.
2. Provide students with galaxy data sets and instruct them to select important data points.
3. Guide students in creating a scaled picture graph or bar graph based on the selected data.
4. Allow students to present their graphs to the class, explaining their data representation choices.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA scaled picture or bar graph that visually represents galaxy data.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers Common Core standard 3.MD.B.3 - Students draw scaled graphs to represent data.
Activity 3

Galaxy Jar Design Studio

Students bring together their understanding of galaxies with artistic skills to design their own galaxy in a jar. This activity combines scientific concepts with creativity to make a tangible artistic model.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Provide students with materials such as jars, glitter, watercolor paints, and cotton balls to create their galaxy jars.
2. Students plan their galaxy design by sketching their ideas and deciding which galaxy features to include.
3. Guide students through assembling their galaxy jars using the materials provided. Encourage them to explain their design choices based on their galaxy research.
4. Allow students to evaluate their designs and make improvements if necessary.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA finished galaxy jar that artistically represents a galaxy with reference to scientific data.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with National Core Arts Standards VA:Cr2.1.3 - Artistic representation using various materials and processes.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Galaxy Jar Project Rubric

Category 1

Scientific Understanding

Assesses students' comprehension of galaxy characteristics and Earth's location within the Milky Way.
Criterion 1

Comprehension of Galaxies

Evaluate students' ability to identify types and characteristics of galaxies.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a detailed explanation of various galaxy types, including complex characteristics and accurate identification of Earth's location in the Milky Way.

Proficient
3 Points

Describes galaxy types and characteristics accurately, with a clear identification of Earth's location.

Developing
2 Points

Identifies basic galaxy types and characteristics, with partial accuracy in locating Earth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to describe galaxy types and characteristics, with minimal understanding of Earth's location.

Criterion 2

Data Representation

Evaluate students' skills in using graphs to represent galaxy data.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a highly detailed and accurate scaled graph with insightful data representation choices.

Proficient
3 Points

Produces accurate scaled graphs with correct data representation choices.

Developing
2 Points

Creates graphs with some errors in scale or data choice.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to create accurate graphs or make appropriate data choices.

Category 2

Artistic Representation

Assess students' ability to use artistic techniques and materials to create a galaxy jar.
Criterion 1

Creative Design and Execution

Evaluate the quality and creativity of the galaxy jar design and execution.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a highly creative jar design with excellent execution, clearly representing scientific data.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows a creative design and solid execution, appropriately representing scientific data.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a basic design with limited creativity and some execution errors.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays minimal creativity or execution quality in the jar design.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

What new insights or understandings about galaxies did you gain from participating in the Galactic Detective Investigation activity?

Text
Required
Question 2

How confident do you feel in your ability to explain Earth's location within the Milky Way to someone else?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which aspects of creating the star charts did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Text
Required
Question 4

How effective do you believe your star chart is in visually representing galaxy data?

Scale
Required
Question 5

In what ways did creating a galaxy jar help solidify your understanding of the structure and components of galaxies?

Text
Required
Question 6

Which materials or techniques did you find most successful when creating your galaxy jar, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Glitter
Watercolor paints
Cotton balls
Jar preparation
Design planning