Kristianstad University
Kristianstad University learning environment
Title: Life in the Universe
Driving question: Should we look for, and try to contact, extraterrestrial life?
Examples of implicit aspects
- The probability to find life/intelligent life? What are the demands that have to be fulfilled for life to exist? Where should we be looking?
- Social aspect: Safety if we establish contact – for us and for the life we find?
- Economical aspect: What should we spend our economical resources on?
- Ethical aspects: How should we be looking for life? From Earth or through sending things out in space? Are we allowed to interfere in the creation/in the natural order?
Scenario:
NASA has published the first image of a planet orbiting a star – an Exoplanet.
Does it mean that there is hope of finding Life? I can’t sleep when I think about the possibility of life on other planets, elsewhere in the Universe.
Earlier today I was discussing with a friend about life in the Universe. I am very sceptical about alien life, but on the other hand ... if we say that universe came to be and started to grow ... and became immense – infinite. Then there simply has to be another galaxy or star with a planet like ours, where life might have evolved.But, can it be proved? I get confused by this issue, because even if I do not believe in God directly. I find it hard to believe that humans just evolved and came to be in several places. But, if you can find planets around our stars it might be a breakthrough. It raises a lot of questions with me. Are we alone? Where can life be found? Would it be possible for us humans to move to another planet? Are there ways to find out about this? Who should do it? Should we do it? Do we want to know? What would it cost? I now want Your help in answering the basic question
Should we look for, and try to contact, extraterrestrial life?
As students proceed with their work they will be confronted with another question
Should we try to transform Mars into a planet where humans are able to live in the future?
Download a one-page leaflet (pdf) of the HKr pilot learning environment (english).
Download a one-page leaflet (pdf) of the HKr_learning environment (swedish).
Download the teacher guide (pdf) of the Astrobiology learning environment in English.