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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Defying
Gravity Do?
Defying
Gravity is currently focusing on the completion of eight curriculum
modules for use in ninth and tenth grade science classes.
2. What is a “module”
A module
is a complete science lesson toolkit. Each module consists
of a set of pre and/or post lesson homework assignments for students;
a fully prepared lesson plan complete with a teacher’s guide
and a visual presentation; a plan for a full laboratory session;
information on helpful educational links; and a reference for the
National Science Education Standards to which the lesson is written.
3. Will modules fit
into my curriculum?
Each module
is written to a specific set of National Science Education Standards. The
NSES is “the nation's first comprehensive standards to improve
science education in grades K-12” - from
the NSES
website. As such, DG modules should fit
easily into any American ninth or tenth grade science curriculum.
4. Can the modules be
used for other grades?
In short,
the answer is yes. It is up to the teacher to decide how to
use the module and which information is appropriate for the level
of the class. Teachers may leave out information that is too
remedial or too advanced for their students.
5. How can I participate?
If you would like to participate in the testing
phase of the Defying Gravity project, email us with your request and information about who
you are and where your school is. Whether you are a student,
teacher, parent or administrator, you can become involved.
6. Do I have to pay
for anything?
The only things teachers et al. have to pay
for are supplies for the lab and transparency sheets for the presentation. (If
you have PowerPoint, presentations will be available for free download.) The
other materials, including all plans and guides, are completely free
for download on this site. You will need the free Adobe
Acrobat Reader(tm) to view these
files.
7. Can I start using
modules now?
Several
modules are available right now. Visit the Module Page to
read descriptions of all the modules and to find out what’s
ready for the classroom.
8. How do I get my lab
materials?
As you read through the lab plan, you will
learn what materials you will need. We have written all lab
plans so that materials should easily be found in supermarkets and
hardware stores.
9. How do I get lesson
materials?
10. What is the NSBRI?
The National Space Biomedical Research
Institute is a group of 12
universities and institutes that supports, leads and funds research
into developing countermeasures to the deleterious effects of space
travel on the human body. The research also has benefits
for people on earth. The NSBRI funds several Education and
Public Outreach projects. Defying Gravity is one part of
the effort.