This high school Earth and space science lesson has the following learning goals for students: identify appropriate and relevant information about the big bang theory; synthesize information to construct viable explanations of the formation of the universe; discriminate between substantiated and unsubstantiated explanations; effectively communicate to their peers a substantiated explanation for the formation of the universe; and support their explanations with sufficient and relevant scientific evidence. A materials list, teacher background information, assessments, and extensions are provided. This book selection includes the Table of Contents, Preface, Acknowledgments, About the Authors, and Index.