# Life in the Universe ## expand\_more How can we encourage middle school students to ask big questions about life outside their own immediate circles of interaction and expand that sense of wonder to include their home planet, solar system, and place in the universe? The JTF-funded Life in the Universe (LITU) project developed and tested an out-of-school model for engaging young learners in scientific processes while cultivating their curiosity around “Big Questions.” LITU offers an opportunity for students to estimate the likelihood of Life elsewhere in our Universe, using real methods of modern science applied to up-to-the-minute data about humans’ knowledge of planets outside our Solar System. [The labs](/life-universe) encourage middle school learners to "problematize" the activities and methods scientists use to make sense of our Universe in the context of a guided inquiry lab where they will explore the question, "Could humans (ever) communicate with sentient life on other planets?" ([NS-58380](https://www.templeton.org/grant/cultivating-curiosity-with-life-in-the-universe-inquiry-lab-litu)) ## JTF Cultivating Life in the Universe Publications Download 3 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=standard_pager&number_of_items=10&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116056&&&format=ris) ### In Press Udomprasert P, Goodman A, Ladd E, Offner S, Houghton H, Johnson E, Sunbury S, Plummer J, Wright E, Sadler P, et al. [WorldWide Telescope in Education](/publications/worldwide-telescope-education). In: Impey C, Buxner S, editors. Astronomy Education - A Practitioner’s Guide to the Research. Bristol, UK: IOP Publishing . Udomprasert P, Goodman A, Ladd E, Offner S, Houghton H, Johnson E, Sunbury S, Plummer J, Wright E, Sadler P, et al. [WorldWide Telescope in Education](/publications/worldwide-telescope-education). In: Impey C, Buxner S, editors. Astronomy Education - A Practitioner’s Guide to the Research. Bristol, UK: IOP Publishing . ### 2019 Houghton H, Udomprasert P, Sunbury S, Wright E, Goodman A, Johnson E, Bishop A. [Cultivating Curiosity with Life in the Universe and WorldWide Telescope](http://www.aspbooks.org/publications/524/273.pdf). Advancing Astronomy for All: ASP 2018. 2019;524:273–277. Houghton H, Udomprasert P, Sunbury S, Wright E, Goodman A, Johnson E, Bishop A. [Cultivating Curiosity with Life in the Universe and WorldWide Telescope](http://www.aspbooks.org/publications/524/273.pdf). Advancing Astronomy for All: ASP 2018. 2019;524:273–277. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://www.aspbooks.org/a/volumes/article_details/?paper_id=39422) - [ picture\_as\_pdfhoughton\_et\_al\_2019\_litu\_...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/houghton_et_al_2019_litu_asp_proceedings.pdf) When students encounter complex topics like the search for extraterrestrial life, questions abound - thoughtful, unpredictable, and often profound. Despite this thriving curiosity, the first step to be able to explore complex questions is developing the... - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](http://www.aspbooks.org/a/volumes/article_details/?paper_id=39422) - [ picture\_as\_pdfhoughton\_et\_al\_2019\_litu\_...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/houghton_et_al_2019_litu_asp_proceedings.pdf) ### 2018 Houghton H. [WorldWide Telescope: The Universe in Your Hands](/publications/worldwide-telescope-universe-your-hands). AstroBeat. 2018;(164). Houghton H. [WorldWide Telescope: The Universe in Your Hands](/publications/worldwide-telescope-universe-your-hands). AstroBeat. 2018;(164). - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ picture\_as\_pdf2018\_AstroBeat\_Houghton.p...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/ab2018-164_-_houghton_nov2018.pdf) When teaching science topics in which objects are too large or too small to observe laboratory settings—as is the case for astrophysics—how do you convey complex and intangible relationships in a meaningful way? Studies have shown that interactive... - [ picture\_as\_pdf2018\_AstroBeat\_Houghton.p...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/ab2018-164_-_houghton_nov2018.pdf) ## Life in the Universe Presentations Download 3 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=12&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpublications%5D&taxonomy_filters%5Bfield_hwp_c_projectpresentations%5D%5B0%5D%5Btarget_id%5D=116091&&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%5B0%5D=presentation&additional_filters%5Btype%5D%5B0%5D%5Boperator%5D=IN&format=ris) ### 2018 [Cultivating Curiosity with Life in the Universe and WorldWide Telescope](/presentations/cultivating-curiosity-life-universe-and-worldwide-telescope). 2018. [Cultivating Curiosity with Life in the Universe and WorldWide Telescope](/presentations/cultivating-curiosity-life-universe-and-worldwide-telescope). 2018. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ picture\_as\_pdf2018\_asp\_sonoma\_litu\_post...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/2018_asp_sonoma_litu_poster.pdf) ![2018 asp poster presentation](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wwtambassadors/files/2018_asp_sonoma_litu_poster.png?itok=VQRFiIij) - [ picture\_as\_pdf2018\_asp\_sonoma\_litu\_post...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/2018_asp_sonoma_litu_poster.pdf) [WorldWide Telescope in Education Overview](/presentations/worldwide-telescope-education-overview). 2018. [WorldWide Telescope in Education Overview](/presentations/worldwide-telescope-education-overview). 2018. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ picture\_as\_pdf2018\_aas\_wwt\_in\_education...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/2018_aas_wwt_in_education_overview_slides.pdf) ![2018 AAS WWT in Education Overview presentation](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/wwtambassadors/files/2018_aas_wwt_in_education_overview_presentation.png?itok=YnBVo0kZ) - [ picture\_as\_pdf2018\_aas\_wwt\_in\_education...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/2018_aas_wwt_in_education_overview_slides.pdf) ### 2016 [Life In the Universe: Alyssa Goodman ](/presentations/life-universe-alyssa-goodman). 2016. [Life In the Universe: Alyssa Goodman ](/presentations/life-universe-alyssa-goodman). 2016. - add\_circle\_outline do\_not\_disturb\_on Abstract - [ picture\_as\_pdfstarandplanetformation.pd...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/starandplanetformation.pdf) Birth of a Star | Out There | The New York Times - [ picture\_as\_pdfstarandplanetformation.pd...](/sites/g/files/omnuum9076/files/wwtambassadors/files/starandplanetformation.pdf)