Astronomy clicker question: Moon feature age

Astronomy 10, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Astronomy 10 learning goal Q5.1

Students were asked the following clicker question (Classroom Performance System, einstruction.com) in the middle of their learning cycle:

[0.3 points.] List the following features on the Moon from oldest to youngest:
I. Craters partially filled in with flat lava plains.
II. Craters on top of flat lava plains.
III. Flat lava plains.

(A) I, III, II.
(B) III, I, II.
(C) II, I, III.
(D) III, II, I.

Correct answer: not revealed yet (see discussion below).

Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 10 students
(C) : 18 students
(D) : 2 students

Section 5166
(A) : 22 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 13 students
(D) : 9 students

After showing the lack of consensus in their replies, students were asked to discuss their responses with each other before responding again.

Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 5 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 11 students
(D) : 9 students

Section 5166
(A) : 19 students
(B) : 9 students
(C) : 9 students
(D) : 18 students

Correct answer: (A)

It is easiest to start with the flat lava plains for comparison, which represent the lunar maria. The craters on top of the flat lava plains are newer than the maria, while the craters partially filled in with lava are older than the maria.

Students did not successfully attain the correct answer after conferring with each other. Note that response (D) gained the most from pre- to post-discussion, interestingly enough.

Valentine Dome, on Valentine Moon

Flickr.com: IMGP1525.JPG
Originally uploaded by Waifer X
February 14, 2008

Hand-held Pentax Optio S40, eyepiece projection shot through Orion SkyQuest 10" Newtonian reflector, Dobsonian mount, cropped to remove (most) vignetting. Mare Imbrium on the upper left, Mare Vaporum on the lower left, and Mare Serenitatis on the right, featuring the Valentine Dome (barely resolved). Fair-to-good seeing conditions at Cuesta College North County Campus, Paso Robles, CA. Click on the photo link for geographic (lunagraphic?) annotations.