Overall, this activity is an exciting tool to introduce topics that are typically dry and fact-intensive. The activity is designed for middle school students, but it certainly can be used in introductory high school biology courses. The integration of science, math, language arts, geography, and art makes this activity fit well with the directives of the National Science Education Standards and with best practices in teaching. Perhaps most importantly, the framework of this activity gives students a need to know drive that motivates them to learn science. This activity also lends itself easily to differentiated instruction.
Students can work in pairs, in groups, or individually.
The various aspects of solving Dr. Rockel s challenge provide different opportunities for each student to contribute to the solution in his or her own way. Kathleen Conn is the supervisor of science and technology education for the West Chester area school district in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Acknowledgment This activity was based on an activity developed by Lynn Margulis, which was presented at a workshop at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, sponsored by NASA s Astrobiology Institute. The author would like to thank Lorraine Olendenski, who presented this activity at the workshop, for reviewing the manuscript and offering constructive suggestions. Thanks also to Susan Carty and Susan Rutland of West Chester Area School District, who were colleagues at two Woods Hole workshops, and fantastic traveling companions.