How will Pluto's new non-planet status be best changed in school sylabii?

Question

http://au.news.yahoo.com/060824/2/109sg.html

Answer 1

I think the new definition of 'planet' gives a great opportunity to talk about the nature of science, how it changes, and how messy arbitrary definitions can make science. It also gives an opportunity to talk about all the other objects in the solar system besides just the planets - asteroids, comets, all the fun space junk. And where it came from. Instead of saving 5 minutes (as per another responder above) I think it'll take up much more time in discussing the nuances of science and how science is done, but it is time well spent!

Answer 2

I teach Middle School Science and I have an inflatable set of planets in my classroom. I mentioned to the kids about the decision, three kids asked if they could have my "Pluto" ball... I said... "no..." I was thinking about ceremoniously removing Pluto from my ceiling... Maybe a bit too cheesy... I don't know....


We also came up with a new way to remember the order.. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles (instead of Nine Pizzas).... ;)

Answer 3

No!!!! To me, Pluto shall always be a planet. Pluto, keep on trucking little dude, *sniff.

But seroiusly, I think the best way is to be as swift as possible. Like this; "Hello class, today we will be learning about our solar system. Can anyboby tell me how many planets there are?"
"There are 9 planets"
"No Billy, there are 8, pluto isn't a planet anymore, you
get an 'F'."

Answer 4

i think of that it will,yet purely fairly. Astronomers who were committed to looking a clean planet in our photograph voltaic device will now concentration on some thing else. i think of that the main appeal to probably discovering a clean planet has been taken away by the hot Planet Definitions,and that i additionally think of that Pluto could desire to have been given a waver to preserve planet status. so a methods as astrology is in contact,Pluto will nonetheless be taken into consideration.

Answer 5

It can be used as a great example of how new knowledge is constantly changing the way we look at and define things. Everything we learn should be tinted with "as far as we know now" or "Our current belief is" instead of teaching as if our textbooks were divinely inspired.

Answer 6

Dude, that was funny.

It will change the lesson by five minutes. Now, I don't have to mention Pluto and explain all we know about it. (Yeah, that's about five minutes of information.)

Answer 7

i don't know man. It's ridiculous. how do they say that for the past 76 years what they;ve been teachin us, is wrong. how do you explain that to the kids who just learned abou teh solar system for the first time, and then take back what you said.