MIT Center for Space Research
Education and Public Outreach Program

Readings from:
Cosmic Horizons, Soter and deGrasse-Tyson eds., The New Press, New York 2001

October 18, 2004

Welcome

Introduction to Astrobiology: NASA Astrobiology Roadmap

The Nature of Life
Activity and Discussion

Readings:
NASA Astrobiology Roadmap
"The Search for Extraterrestrial Life" - Scientific American, October 1994, p.93-99
"Astronomers find life on Earth" - press release

November 1, 2004

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

The Extreme Environments on Earth and the Creatures that Live There
Activity and Discussion

The Importance of Water for Life
Activity and Discussion

Readings:
"Extremophile Data Sheet"
"Habitable worlds" - Cosmic Horizons
"Water: The Molecule of Life" - Astrobiology Magazine
"Subsurface life on Earth and other worlds" - Cosmic Horizons
"A hidden ocean on Europa" - Cosmic Horizons

November 8, 2004

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

How to Recognize Signatures for Life on Other Worlds and on Earth
Science Presentation and Discussion. Speaker: Wes Traub

Readings:
"Searching for life on other planets" - Scientific American, April 1996, p.60-66
"Giant planets orbiting faraway stars" - Scientific American Presents, 1998, p.10-15
"The Earth's elements" - Scientific American, October 1994, p.59-65

November 15, 2004

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

What Makes a World Habitable?
Activity and Discussion

Inverse Square Law
Activity and Discussion

Defining the Habitable Zone
Activity and Discussion

Readings:
"Stars and habitable planets"
"Bringing life to Mars" - Cosmic Horizons

November 22, 2004

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Understanding the Nature and Distribution of Habitable Environments in the Universe
Science Presentation and Discussion. Speaker: Guillermo Torres

Readings:
"Galactic habitable worlds" - NAI News Archive
"Here come the suns" - Scientific American, May 1999, p.20

THANKSGIVING BREAK

December 6, 2004

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

How Big Is the Universe?
Activity and Discussion

Signatures of Habitability and Life: Remote Sensing
Activity and Discussion

How Rare is Earth-Like Life?
Activity and Discussion

Readings:
"Refuges for life in a hostile universe" - Scientific American, October 2001, p.60-67
"The origins of water on Earth" - Scientific American, 2003, p.28-33
"Migrating Planets" - Scientific American, Sept. 1999, p.56-63
"Can interplanetary rocks carry life?" - Cosmic Horizons

December 13, 2004

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Models of Formation and Evolution of Habitable Planets
Science Presentation and Discussion. Speaker Lee Hartmann

Readings:
"Astrobiology: exploring the origins, evolution, and distribution of life in the universe" - Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 30, p.397-420, 1999

WINTER BREAK

January 10, 2005

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Where and How Are We Looking for Life?
Science Presentation and Discussion. Speaker: Andrew Knoll

Readings:
"The hidden members of Planetary Systems" - Scientific American, Apr. 04, p.62-69
"Companions to young stars" - Scientific American, Oct. 1995, p.134-139

January 24, 2005

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

How Extra-Solar Planets Are Discovered
Activity and Discussion

Readings:
"Finding planets" - Planet Quest JPL web site

January 31, 2005

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Indirect and Direct Astronomical Observations of Extrasolar Planets
Science Presentation and Discussion. Speaker: Dimitar Sasselov

Readings:
"Searching for shadows of other earths" - Scientific American, Sept. 2000, p.58-65
"Giant planets orbiting faraway stars" - Scientific American Presents, 1998, p.10-15
"The Search for Earth-like Extrasolar Planets" - E&PSL, 2003, 208, p.113-124

February 7, 2005

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Searching for Earth-like Extrosolar Planets: Present and Future
Science Presentation and Discussion. Speaker: Lisa Kaltenegger

Readings:
"The Search for Earth-like Extrasolar Planets" - E&PSL, 2003, 208, p.113-124

February 14, 2005

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Estimating the Number of Civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy
Activity and Discussion

Is There Anybody Out There?
Activity and Discussion

Readings:
"Is there intelligent life out there?" - Scientific American Presents, Winter 1998
"Where are they?" - Scientific American, July 2000, p.38-43

February 28, 2005

Review of Questions from Previous Session and Readings

Where Are You Now?
Reflection on the Program

Meeting the Standards: Where Does This All Fit?

Making a Lesson Plan
Sharing and Discussion

Readings:
Massachusetts Department of Education Science and Technology/EngineeringCurriculum Framework: Earth, Life, Physical, and Design Engineering Strands
National Science Education Standards

March 7, 2005

Each Participant Presents a Short Lesson or Lesson Plan