Out of this World Activities: Exploring Life on Other Planets with AI


This lesson encourages students to integrate scientific concepts with creative thinking by envisioning activities in extraterrestrial environments. It utilizes generative AI to expand their understanding of physics and environmental factors on other celestial bodies, building critical thinking and curiosity. Generative AI is excellent at pulling together information for nuanced, specific answers like these, in which learners seek details that may not already exist in an understandable fashion. This activity also highlights the practical applications of AI in problem-solving and learning, making abstract scientific principles more tangible and relatable.


Materials Needed			Time needed
- Computers or tablets with internet access

Access to a generative AI platform like ChatGPT | | | Approximately 15 to 60 minutes, depending on how much introduction is needed, the complexity of analysis, and the desire for presentations. | | | | Objectives | | | | | | | Students will be able to…- Articulate the challenges and adaptations necessary for activities on different celestial bodies.
Develop questions and utilize AI to explore scientific scenarios.
Analyze and interpret AI-generated responses to evaluate feasibility and scientific accuracy. | | | | | | | Key Concepts & Vocabulary | | | | | | | Gravity: The force that attracts a body towards the center of the earth, or towards any other physical body having mass.Atmosphere: The envelope of gasses surrounding the earth or another planet.Extraterrestrial: Of or from outside the earth or its atmosphere. | | | | | | | Lesson | | | | | | | 1. Introduction
1. This lesson is best integrated into the study of planets, and how different celestial bodies have different conditions that would interact with humans and objects in different ways.
2. Introduce the concept of different gravitational pulls, atmospheres, and environmental conditions on various celestial bodies.
3. Discuss how these factors might affect activities that are typically done on Earth.

Activity Planning
1. Divide students into pairs and have each pair select an activity to analyze (e.g., playing soccer, cooking, flying a kite).
2. Each pair should hypothesize the changes and challenges of performing their selected activity on the moon or a chosen planet.
Utilizing Generative AI
1. Students input their activity and chosen celestial body into the AI: "What would playing soccer be like on Mars?" “What would it be like to light a campfire on Venus?” “What would playing frisbee be like on the moon?”
2. Encourage them to ask follow-up questions based on the AI’s responses to deepen their understanding. For example, “What would it feel like?” “What would be difficult about it for humans?” “Why would it happen that way?” etc.
Discussion and Recording Findings
1. Each pair discusses the AI’s insights and records the key points.
2. Pairs prepare a short presentation of their findings.
Presentations and Class Discussion
1. Each group presents their findings.
2. Facilitate a class discussion on the presentations and insights gained. | | | | | | | Discussion Questions | | | | | | | - How did the AI help you rethink the activity for an extraterrestrial environment?

What was the most surprising insight the AI provided about your chosen activity?
How do environmental factors like gravity and atmosphere affect daily activities?
In what ways did the AI’s responses challenge your initial hypotheses?What limitations did you notice about using AI for this kind of exploration?
How can understanding these extraterrestrial environments help us better appreciate Earth’s conditions?
What skills did you use today that scientists might use in real space missions?
How might we use AI to prepare for actual extraterrestrial exploration in the future? | | | | | | | Supplemental Activity Ideas | | | | | | | Research Assignment: Students can research and write a report on historical and planned space missions that involve human activities in space.Creative Writing: Have students write a short story set on their chosen celestial body incorporating the scientific concepts learned.Model Building: Students could build physical models of habitats that could support the activities they explored on different planets.Generated Images: Have students use AI image generation tools to create depictions of people doing the activities on the given planets. | | | | | | | Sources to Learn More | | | | | | | Article exploring what it would be like to play soccer on the moon: https://www.inverse.com/science/lunar-soccer-moon-football-rules-ethics | | | | | |

The plan