Lesson plan:

This episode raises issues in relation to the deployment of resources. Conduct a debate on the topic: "The search for extra-terrestrial life is a waste of resources which could be better spent elsewhere".

In preparing for the debate encourage students to use the episode to find arguments supporting either side of the case. Ask them to identify arguments which could be mounted for either side but which were not considered in the episode.

Make predictions

Another issue raised by this episode is the cultural impact of extra-terrestrial life. Divide students into groups and ask them to present a report on the likely impact of human culture if extra-terrestrial life conforming to specific scenarios was discovered, eg:

• life forms exactly the same as humans and at the same stage of development
• human-like life forms but at a stone age level of development
• human-like life forms at a higher stage of development.
  

Students could also be encouraged to generate their own scenarios. Students should consider the likely response of political leaders, scientists, religious groups, business, the media and so on.