Class Plan: Podcast Creation

Objective: Students will research and record a podcast episode exploring either the solar system or the
Big Bang theory, incorporating guiding questions to structure their discussion.

Materials Needed:

Access to research materials (books, articles, online resources)

Audio recording equipment (smartphones, microphones, or computer software)

Paper and pens for brainstorming and note-taking

Duration: 3 periods.

Class Activities:

Introduction to Podcasting (10 minutes)

Introduce the concept of podcasts and discuss their popularity and various formats.

Provide examples of educational podcasts or episodes related to astronomy or cosmology for

inspiration.

Discuss the purpose of the assignment: to research and discuss key concepts related to either
the solar system or the Big Bang theory in a podcast format.

Topic Selection and Guiding Questions (10 minutes)

Divide the class into groups, allowing each group to choose whether they want to focus on the
solar system or the Big Bang theory.

Provide a list of guiding questions for each topic to help students structure their podcast
episode. Sample guiding questions could include:

Solar System:

What are the main components of the solar system?

How do the planets differ from each other?

What is the significance of the Sun in the solar system?

List the main objects that can be found in the universe and state two characteristics for each.

Are there any recent discoveries or missions related to the solar system?
Big Bang Theory:

What is the Big Bang theory, and how did it come about?

What evidence supports the Big Bang theory?

How has our understanding of the universe evolved since the Big Bang?

What are some alternative theories to the Big Bang, and how do they compare?

Research and Scriptwriting (1h)

Allocate time for students to conduct research on their chosen topic, using both online and
offline resources.

Encourage students to take notes and brainstorm ideas for their podcast episode, considering
how they will structure their discussion around the guiding questions.

Provide guidance and support as needed, helping students refine their ideas and develop a script
for their podcast episode.

Recording and Editing (1 period)

Once students have completed their research and scriptwriting, provide time for them to record
their podcast episodes.

Set up recording equipment in a quiet space where students can work collaboratively to record
their discussions.

After recording, allow time for students to edit their episodes, adding music, sound effects, or
other elements to enhance the listening experience.

Presentation and Reflection (optional)

If time allows, invite students to present their podcast episodes to the class or share them online. Make
sure students listen to podcasts about a topic they did not work with.

After listening to each episode, facilitate a discussion where students can reflect on the research process,
challenges encountered, and what they learned from creating the podcast.