Phase+4+Project+Plan

= Phase 4 Project Plan =

**General Topic:** Astronomy & History **Specific Topic:** Galileo and his impact on astronomy **Audience for Project:** Middle school students

Digital Storytelling
**//Topic Overview//** Galileo was a major astronomer during the Scientific Revolution. His improvements to the telescope allowed him to confirm Copernicus' theory that the sun is in the center of the universe, not the earth, in addition to other discoveries. Due to the influence of the Catholic Church in Europe, the confirmation of Copernicus' theory was very controversial at the time period, which caused Galileo to be brought before the Inquisition and convicted of heresy.

**//Task//** Students will be creating a digital story to teach their classmates about Galileo's contributions to astronomy. Their project should include how the student feels Galileo's works have impacted their own world personally and the world around them today. Students will be using Powerpoint to add text and images to their digital story, while they will record audio using Audacity. Students should include the following in their digital story:
 * 1) What were Galileo's findings?
 * 2) How did the people of his time feel about his findings?
 * 3) How and when did these feelings change?
 * 4) How have these findings impacted us today?
 * 5) Students should include at least 3 relevant pictures.

**//Process/Guidance//** We will create the project by outlining instructions for students in a document that would be available to students on a class website. These will be similar to the requirements listed under the "Task." Students will be instructed in using Powerpoint and Audacity.

**//Evaluation//** Students will be evaluated on the information provided in their digital story as well as the quality of their digital story and presentation. Students will be completing two parts that will be evaluated: They will present their Powerpoint to the class live, and they will also turn in their Powerpoint with an accompanying podcast. All of these segments will be evaluated.

**//Reflection//** Digital storytelling offers students the ability to express acquired knowledge as uniquely as each of their fingerprints. The topic and task gives each student guidance and direction. The output, however, will undoubtedly be interesting and unique to each student's style of expression. The Powerpoints may produce some repetitive information and pictures, but the podcasts will assuredly be more unique, as the students will have to verbally express themselves incorporating speaking skills and standards into their work.