Educator Resources for Drake Equation

drake_equation_game

Play Game

There are about billions of stars in our galaxy. But how would you even begin to estimate the odds of life? This online interactive allows students to form and test a hypothesis about life in other galaxies. Afterward, they can compare their ideas to those of other students who have played the game. We recommend having students experiment multiple times with the Drake Equation and analyze the factors which affected their results.

For more teacher resources, visit Space Science Institute

The Odds of Alien Life Lesson Plan: Drake Equation Game

 
Grades: 3-12

In this lesson plan which is adaptable for grades 3-12, students use BrainPOP resources to explore the odds of intelligent life beyond our solar system. Students will explain the principles of The Drake Equation and use information from the online interactive Drake Equation game to form a hypothesis about life in other galaxies.

Common Core State Standard Alignments:

CCSS.Math.Content.6.SP.A.1

CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.A.2

CCSS.Math.Content.7.SP.C.6

CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A

CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.1

CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.3

CCSS.Math.Content.HSN-Q.A.2

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.A.1

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-IC.B

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.1

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.A.2

CCSS.Math.Content.HSS-CP.B.8

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