Solar System WebQuest

Introduction

Your prinicipal, Mrs. Griffis, has just given you the opportunity of a lifetime.  You and three other classmates are being sent on a discovery mission through the solar system.  As a team, you will travel to two other planets in our solar system to compare them to our planet, Earth.

What are the characteristics of each planet in our solar system?  After your journey, you will explain the answer to this question using a poster your team has created.

1095solar_system

 

 

The Task

During this journey your team will..........

  • record observations or data and collect photographs of your assigned planets.
  • use a pre-made chart provided by your teacher to record your information.  To gather your data, you will utilize the provided internet sites.
  • create a poster to illustrate and explain the differences between Earth and the two planets. 
  • Each of you are to create a representation of your assigned planet or planets.  This can be photographs and/or hand-drawn pictures to attach to your poster.  It can also be a 3-D Model.  This part of the task will need to be completed at home (homework assignment due May 18th). It must be neat and in color.
  • work cooperatively with your group members.

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The Process

The exploration team:

1. You'll be assigned to a team of 4 students.

2. Each team member will choose one of the four roles created for this mission:

  • Photographer - Researches the color of each planet as viewed from space and the number of satellites and rings each planet may have.
  • Geologist - Researches the average temperature and atmosphere, and surface features of each planet.
  • Surveyor - Researches diameter and size and the gravitational pull of each planet.
  • Pilot - Researches the location of each planet, each planet's distance from the sun and the other planet's, as well as the length of rotation and revolution.

3. Each team member will use the websites provided to compile the needed information assigned to their role and complete the chart given to each team member.

4. Upon completion of the chart, your team will work together to create a  poster that explains the differences between Earth and 2 other (assigned) planets.

 

untitled planets

 

 

 

Websites

Utilize these approved websites for your exploration:

http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html  

http://www.sciencemonster.com/planets.html

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

http://www.nineplanets.org

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/our_solar_system/solar_system.html

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/

http://www.nasm.si.edu/ceps/etp/ss/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/solarsystem/

Evaluation

Your group will be evaluated on how well you work together, research the planets, and present your information on a poster.(Rubric posted in class and in group folders.)

You will receive two grades for this project:

  1. Working cooperatively as a group, researching the planets, and presenting your information.
  2. Visual representation (such as a 3-D Model, photographs, hand-drawn pictures)

planets people