Justice in Motion

Lesson 9: The Role of Justice in Space Exploration

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Year Level:

Year 8 (Australian Curriculum v9)

Duration:

60 minutes

Class Size:

20 students

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Lesson Description

This lesson explores the ethical implications of space exploration with a focus on justice and fairness in scientific developments. Students will engage in structured discussions and activities that challenge them to consider who benefits from discoveries, who bears risks, and how global fairness can be maintained as humanity reaches beyond Earth.

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Australian Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area:

Humanities and Social Sciences – Civics and Citizenship
Science (Science Inquiry Skills)
Ethical Understanding (General Capability)

Relevant Content Descriptions and Codes:

• Civics and Citizenship (Year 8):

  • Develop questions to investigate contemporary civic issues
  • Examine values supporting social cohesion including fairness and justice

• Science Inquiry Skills (Year 8):

  • Construct evidence-based arguments considering ethical issues
  • Evaluate claims and ethical implications of scientific advancements

• General Capabilities:

  • Ethical Understanding: Explore ethical considerations and make reasoned decisions regarding scientific issues.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Explain the concept of justice and fairness in the context of space exploration.
2. Identify ethical issues related to who benefits and who is impacted by space scientific advancements.
3. Critically discuss the responsibilities of scientists, governments, and corporations in ensuring justice in space.
4. Develop evidence-based arguments about the role of justice in scientific progress beyond Earth.

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Resources Needed

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed scenario cards with ethical dilemmas related to space exploration
• Large paper sheets and markers for group work
• Notebooks or digital devices for individual reflection

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Description
0-10 mins	Introduction & Engagement	Prompt discussion: What comes to mind when you hear “space exploration”? Who decides what happens out there? Briefly introduce the concept of justice and fairness as it relates to new territories like space. Use simple examples (e.g., sharing land, resources) and connect to space.
10-25 mins	Ethical Scenario Exploration (Group work)	Divide class into 4 groups; each given a scenario card presenting an ethical dilemma related to space exploration (e.g., resource mining on asteroids, space tourism inequalities, space debris responsibility, or planetary protection preventing contamination). Students discuss: Who benefits? Who might be disadvantaged? What would be a just solution? Groups prepare a brief report.
25-40 mins	Class Discussion and Argument Development	Groups present scenarios and their justice solutions. Facilitate whole class debate encouraging students to question and refine ideas. Prompt them to use evidence and examples discussed. Highlight competing values (e.g., economic gain vs environmental protection, national interests vs global fairness). Emphasise scientific responsibility.
40-50 mins	Individual Reflection and Ethics Journaling	Students write a short paragraph in their notebooks: “Why do justice and fairness matter in space exploration? How would you want future space scientists to act?” Encourage thoughtful, personal responses referencing group insights.
50-60 mins	Wrap-up & Assessment	Summarise key points; revisit learning objectives. Use an exit ticket: Each student states one ethical issue they consider important in space exploration and one idea for ensuring justice. Collect for informal assessment.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide some sentence starters or question prompts for students who need support in debate or writing.
• Challenge advanced students to link ethical ideas to global governance or international space treaties.
• Use visuals and concrete scenarios for diverse learners.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through group participation and quality of arguments in discussion.
• Written individual reflections to assess understanding of justice concepts.
• Exit tickets for quick insight into student grasp of ethical issues.

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Teacher Notes

• Connect ethical discussion to real-world examples such as the Moon Treaty or recent discussions about Mars colonisation.
• Encourage respectful disagreement during discussions to model democratic values.
• Integrate this lesson as part of the “Rockets: Justice in Motion” unit contextualising science within society and ethics.

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Australian Curriculum References

• AC9HC8S01: Develop questions to investigate contemporary civic issues (Civics and Citizenship Year 8)
• AC9HC7K05: Identify values such as fairness, respect and justice supporting social cohesion (Civics and Citizenship Year 7)
• AC9S8I07: Construct evidence-based arguments considering ethical issues in science (Science Year 8)

These underpin the lesson's focus on justice, ethical decision-making, and scientific responsibility in space exploration .

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This lesson aims to inspire Year 8 students to thoughtfully engage with complex ethical questions about humanity’s future in space, developing critical thinking and civic capabilities foundational for active citizenship in STEM contexts.