Georgia S6E1.a
The Standard
Ask questions to determine changes in models of Earth's position in the solar system, and origins of the universe as evidence that scientific theories change with the addition of new information.
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students compare older and current models of Earth’s place in space. They ask questions about how telescope observations, planetary motion, redshift, and background radiation led scientists to revise models.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can explain why the geocentric model was replaced by the heliocentric model using specific evidence. They can connect new evidence to changes in explanations of the universe’s origin.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think a scientific theory is only a guess or that changing a model means science failed. They may also think the Sun is the center of the universe or that the Big Bang was an explosion into empty space.
How to Assess It
- Give students geocentric and heliocentric diagrams. Ask: “What observation would help you decide which model better explains planetary motion, and why?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Use a lamp, globe, and toy planets to build geocentric and heliocentric models, then list observations each model can or cannot explain.
Write three questions Galileo could ask after observing Jupiter’s moons, then explain how one question challenges the geocentric model.
Sort evidence cards into geocentric, heliocentric, or expanding universe groups, then defend each choice with a partner.
Read a short Webb Telescope news release and identify what new evidence could refine a model of the early universe.
Free download
Printable S6E1.a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S6E1.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- S6E1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about current scientific views of the universe and how those views evolved.
- S4E2
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to model the effects of the position and motion of the Earth and the moon in relation to the sun as observed from ...
- S4E1.a
Ask questions to compare and contrast technological advances that have changed the amount and type of information on distant objects in the sky.
- S4E1.d
Evaluate strengths and limitations of models of our solar system in describing relative size, order, appearance and composition of planets and the sun.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson