Science

Welcome to Shepard Elementary School Instructional/MAP/PDSC Partnership Web Site

Introduction Task Resources Evaluation Conclusion

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Compare and contrast the characteristics of the solar system planets.
Explain to an audience the similarities and differences between revolution and rotation using a three dimensional model.
Use the scientific method for quantitative and qualitative inquiry based labs that are self-designed.
Participate in a collaborative WebQuest and contribute effectively as a team member.

Introduction:

You are a pair of astronauts visiting one of the other eight planets of our solar system, assigned to you by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). You will bring back to earth information regarding the planet’s size, shape, color, weather, landscape and other characteristic features. When you return to earth, you will construct a scale model of the planet you have visited and use it to describe your planetary observations to the other astronauts in your class. Together, all astronauts will use their models to reconstruct the solar system and demonstrate revolution and rotation of the planets around the sun.

After the demonstration, each group of astronauts will choose a question about their planet that they would like to further investigate and design an experiment to find a solution to the question. A hypothesis will be formulated and the hypothesis should be testable in the classroom.

Task:

You will create a scale model of your planet and compare its relative size

You will be able to explain the similarities and differences between rotation and revolution. Understand the following:

	Which planet had the fastest revolution around the Sun, and why?
	Which planet had the slowest revolution around the Sun, and why?
	Do the results match the information on the information charts (from previous lesson)?

You will be able to explain the similarities and differences of your planet and others in the solar system

You will formulate a question in relation to your planet and use the scientific method to solve the problem.

Students may use the following Internet resources to complete the WebQuest.

The process:

With your assigned partner, complete the following tasks for your assigned planet:

Follow the Solar System Model Rubric to create a model.

You will be given 5 school days of in class time to complete the model.

You will begin by conducting an Internet search of the planet you have been assigned.

Collect information regarding the planet’s traits, such as, size, shape, color, weather, landscape and other characteristic features.

Create a blueprint of the model on a piece of paper by converting planet size to centimeters. Get teacher approval.

Make a list of all materials you will need to construct the model. Give list to teacher who will provide materials for you, if necessary.

Create model with your partner.

Use model to present information about your planet to the class. Use the Solar System Model Rubric.

You will be given two days to practice your presentation. There will be two days allotted to the final presentations. You will speak for no more than 6 minutes per group.

During the class presentation, explain the similarities and differences between rotation and revolution.

Point out all the characteristic features of your planet using your model.

Describe the atmospheric conditions of your planet.

Participate in setting up the scale model of the solar system with others in the classroom by using your own model and others.

We will spend one day setting up the solar system and another presenting our information.

Explain the similarities and differences of your planet in relation to the others in the solar system to the class.

Explain rotation and revolution of your planet in relation to the others in the solar system to the class.

Come up with a problem regarding your planet that you want to further investigate in our science lab. Use the Scientific Method Rubric.

Remember that the hypothesis must be testable in the classroom.

You will be given two in-class periods to come up with a problem, hypothesis, rationale, materials, and procedure.

After the teacher approves the procedure, you will be given two days to complete the experiment and collect data.

You will present your findings to the class. There will be two days of in-class time allotted to the presentations.

Remember that you will be evaluated using the rubrics provided, so please refer to them frequently when you are completing your project.

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Resources

I. Planets: Vocabulary

http://www.wsanford.com/~wsanford/exo/gr4_astro_bingo_vocab.html

http://samadhi.jpl.nasa.gov/ (also contains a solar system simulator)

http://www.mfla.org/michi-html/Burden.htm (introduces students to the basics of planet-vocabulary)

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II. Characteristics of the nine planets (color, size, temperature etc).

http://www.nineplanets.org/

http://sse.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/charchart.cfm

http://kids.nineplanets.org/index.html

http://phs.dist214.k12.il.us/~phslibrary/planets01.html (contains good information about moons of planets)

http://www.astrojet.org/table_5.htm (contains characteristics and orbit information in table format)

http://teachers.olathe.k12.ks.us/~tulmersf/astronomy.html

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III. Rotation vs. Revolution

http://www-astronomy.mps.ohio-state.edu/~pogge/Ast161/Unit4/movearth.html (this website is for students who want an extra challenge).

http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~rcamp/Space%20Science%20Unit.ppt (Powerpoint Presentation about rotation and revolution and phases of the moon).

http://teachers.olathe.k12.ks.us/~tulmersf/astronomy.html

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/solarsys/revolution.html

After the WebQuest and sharing information with your classmates, you should know the basic characteristics of all planets, their rotation and revolution, and to use the scientific method to find answers to any problems (planetary or non-planetary).

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Contact e-mail: John.Wright@slps.org Webmaster: John Wright