Other Worlds / Other Earth...

Information about the Other Worlds/Other Earths Project

The Other Worlds/Other Earths project is developing, field testing and evaluating the efficacy of using telescope-based investigations of real world cutting edge scientific questions as embedded performance assessments with the goal of enhancing and revealing students' understanding of core concepts in the physical sciences as well as their proficiency in the practice of scientific inquiry.

Specifically, students and teachers are joining scientists from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the search for exo-solar planets using automated online telescopes. Since alien planets are too far and too dim to be seen directly, students will detect the planets indirectly: by observing the periodic dimming of the planet's star as the planet orbits.

Twelve science teachers from public and private middle and high schools from across the country pilot tested materials during the 2009-2010 school year. The material is currently being field tested with twelve additional teachers across the country.