ABSTRACT
Defining a problem can be handled in many different ways depending on the needs of the class and curriculum. One could easily construct a project from this problem, having students create a model that shows the relative distances of the sun and nearby stars. Students could even create a demonstration using flashlights that show the varying brightness of these objects as a result of distance. Providing students with choice engages them in the learning and will probably lead to a better quality product. The role of the teacher involves conversations with students and keen observation skills to determine when a group or student needs some help, and when they need to let them figure something out for themselves. Part of this is determining how to best use time and space—time in the form of opportunities for students to test and improve their results, and space in the form of learning without interference of the teacher.
