Space Encounters. Teacher's Guide. Preparing for Tomorrow's World.

"Space Encounters" is one of the "Preparing for Tomorrow's World" (PTW) program modules. PTW is an interdisciplinary, future-oriented program incorporating information from the sciences/social sciences and addressing societal concerns which interface science/technology/society. The program promotes responsible citizenry with increased abilities in critical thinking, problem-solving, social/ethical reasoning, and decision-making. This module, a role-playing simulation, is intended for use in grades 7-12 social studies, general science, earth science, and English classes. It consists of 13 open-ended, decision-making activities related to a simulated space mission. Additional activities include large/small group dilemma discussions. Dilemmas, brief stories in which two or more moral/ethical conflicts must be resolved, are accompanied by questions to stimulate thinking and/or generate discussions. In addition to student handouts and instructional strategies, the teaching guide contains module overview, chart indicating moral issues (as identified by Kohlberg) in each dilemma, suggested time schedule, bibliography, discussion of the socio-scientific reasoning model (theoretical basis of the PTW), and bibliography. The module may be used as a separate unit of study, as a mini-course, or incorporated into existing curricula where appropriate. (JN)