Summer SAVY, Session 3 Day 2, “Space and Story: Structure of the Universe” (5th-6th)
It was an exciting day in Space and Story: Structure of the Universe! We started the day learning about the major change Einstein made to Newton’s ideas about gravity. To see for ourselves how massive objects distort spacetime, we used spandex tape wrapped hula hoops to model spacetime in our universe. We used pucks as suns, and ping pong balls, marbles, and tennis balls as planets orbiting the sun. While some of our “universes” came out warped and full of black holes, this allowed us to pivot and explore these unexpected gifts through hands-on experimentation. Imperfections in the manmade gravitational fields drove students to think creatively and ask questions as they engaged in deep thinking. To compare the results of experiments derived from our postmodern looking “universes” (that we could possibly wear as Derby hats or exhibit at the Frist as “potato chip” spacetime gravitational fields), we also ran simulation labs on gravity at PhET Colorado Interactive Simulations Labs. Further, students reflected on outcomes through writing and discussions. Students performed admirably and generated many interesting questions on the nature of gravity as a distortion of space and time.
After lunch, we read short stories by Bradbury and Asimov, dove deep into the structure of science fiction, and performed literary analysis of settings, language, themes, characters, mood, plot, point of view, and symbols of both stories. Tomorrow, we will continue to analyze literary elements and start learning about the relationship between black holes, gravity, and the theory of general relativity.
Questions to keep the conversation going and extend learning at home:
- How long does it take the light of the sun to reach the Earth?
- Why do objects remain in orbit?
- How many of your planets fell into the black holes during the experiment?
- How does science fiction provide us with insight on the nature of human beings?