Lesson: Averting Disaster

Ask students if they know what caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. Explain that the evidence indicates that most dinosaurs died out because a large asteroid hit Earth. Ask: How can an asteroid, which is much smaller than Earth, have such a large impact when it hits? Safely demonstrate an asteroid impact: Place a small pile of fl our or cornstarch on a desk away from students. This represents Earth’s surface. Then drop a tennis ball (asteroid) onto the surface from about 3 feet above. Have students share their observations. Explain that an asteroid impact can cloud the atmosphere with dust and debris. That changes the climate dramatically so many plants and animals can’t survive.

Have students record and share ideas about how you might be able to protect Earth from an asteroid impact. Encourage students to continue thinking about what might be the best solution. Tell them they will create their own design later after they learn more about efforts to protect Earth from asteroids.

Read the article aloud, pausing to note the difference in size and distance of objects (including Earth, asteroids, and spacecraft). After reading, distribute the “Size and Scale” skills sheet. Discuss the challenges of fi nding and tracking an asteroid in the vastness of outer space.

Distribute the “Crash Course” skills sheet. Safely conduct a demonstration for students or have students complete it at home. Then discuss their observations. Connect the challenges the students noticed while conducting the experiment to the real-life challenges with DART. Discuss why scientists think it is possible to move an asteroid with a small spacecraft.

Share the “Planet Protector” skills sheet. Have students design an Earth-protection system. Encourage students to create detailed drawings, or, if possible, scale models of their designs, to share with their classmates. Have students practice giving constructive feedback about their classmates’ designs. Remind them to use sentence starters like: “One thing you did well is . . .” and “One thing that could be improved is . . ."

⇨ SEL: This lesson plan contains social-emotional learning (SEL) support related to relationship skills.

⇨ VIDEO EXTRA: View a video about how scientists take aim at asteroids.