1. Engage students’ interest by showing video clips of explorers describing what it is like to go into space and to go to the bottom of the ocean.
Introduce the video clips by explaining that students will see an astronaut (Mike Mullane) and a deep-ocean explorer (James Cameron) describe what it is like to enter extreme environments. Show the provided videos "Descending into the Depths" and “Former Astronaut Mike Mullane Describes His Countdown to Teamwork.” After viewing the videos, project a T-chart or draw one on the board. Label one column “Deep Ocean” and the other “Space.” Discuss as a class how the experiences of the two individuals in the videos were similar and different. Model how to use a T-chart by noting students’ responses in the appropriate columns as you compare and contrast the experiences.

2. Have students compare the experiences of scientists living in space and under the ocean using a T-chart.
Distribute a T-chart to each student. Have students label one column “Deep Ocean” and the other column “Space.” Show students the provided video “Seafloor to Space Station,” which shows an astronaut on the International Space Station talking to a scientist aboard the Alvin submersible on the ocean floor. Have students use the T-chart to take notes as they watch on the similarities and differences the astronaut and scientist discuss.

3. Give an overview of the research and digital story project.
Explain that students will research specific aspects of space and ocean exploration and then work in teams to create digital stories comparing the two. Ask them to share what they know about digital stories. Show examples of digital stories from the provided websites. After you view a few examples, ask students to consider what they have seen and identify the elements commonly included in a digital story. Elements could include text, images, sound, maps, and video. Have each group revisit one of the digital stories you viewed and summarize the information the digital story is trying to get across. Have students give their opinions about the effectiveness of the digital story. Ask students what makes it effective or ineffective and have them give their reasoning.

4. Identify topics of interest for research.
As a class, brainstorm some topics of interest for comparing and contrasting deep-ocean exploration and space exploration. Brainstorming can start with topics students heard described in the video clips, but should expand to include additional topics. Interesting areas of comparison could include: use of robotics and remote sensing, training, dangers of exposure to the environment, effects on the mind and body, importance of interdisciplinary teamwork, and the role of explorers in advancing scientific knowledge.

5. Have student pairs research a topic from the brainstormed list.
Divide students into pairs and assign each pair one topic from the brainstormed list. Be sure to assign each topic to two pairs, with one pair focusing on space exploration and the other on deep-ocean exploration. Have student pairs take thorough notes as they research their assigned topic using the provided web resources. Encourage students to use additional sources such as news articles and books.

6. Have students form new groups with another pair and begin their digital stories.
After students have completed their research, have each student pair join with the student pair that researched the same topic but for the other extreme environment. Explain that each new group of four students will work together to create a digital story that illustrates how their topic is experienced in both extreme environments.

7. Have student groups review the digital story project guidelines.
Distribute the Exploration Digital Story Rubric handout and Storyboard worksheet to students. Review the rubric with students and make sure they understand what is expected of them. Revisit one of the digital stories you viewed earlier and have students use the rubric to evaluate it. Review the storyboard worksheet with students. Point out that it may be easier for students to type the script in a separate document and include anchors that they can refer to on the storyboard. Allow time to answer any questions students might have about the rubric or the storyboarding process.

8. Have students create their digital stories.
Have students begin by searching for some initial key images, writing a draft of their script, and storyboarding their digital stories. Explain to students that they will likely go back and forth between the script and images as they develop their digital story. Once students have storyboarded the core of their story, have them search for any additional images, audio files, and maps that they need. If desired, have students use available technology and tools to record their narration to piece together their stories.

9. Have students peer review another group’s digital story.
Distribute the Digital Story Peer Review Checklist handout to each group and review it with students. Emphasize that students are to give constructive feedback, which means they should give specific examples and suggestions that could be used to improve another group’s digital story. Briefly revisit the digital story students initially assessed using the rubric. As a class, use the Digital Story Peer Review Checklist to provide feedback about the digital story and make sure that students understand how to give constructive criticism. Have each group exchange their digital story with another group’s story. Have each group thoughtfully review the other group’s digital story and use the Digital Story Peer Review Checklist to prepare feedback. Once the groups have finished their reviews, have them share their checklists and go over the feedback together.

10. Have students revise and present their digital stories.
Have students make the necessary adjustments to their digital stories based on the feedback provided by their peers. Once students have completed their revisions, have each group present their digital story to the class. Allow time for students to ask questions following each presentation.

11. Discuss the guiding questions as a class.
Have students reflect on what they have learned by discussing the guiding questions: How is deep-sea exploration similar to and different from space exploration? How are extreme environments related to each other?