The Solar System

1. Introduction Task Resources Process Evaluation Conclusion Standards Citations Teacher Notes A WebQuest for 10th Grade (Physical Science-Basic Astronomy) Designed by – Jennifer Boughton-boughtj@bgnet.bgsu.edu EDTL 695 - Summer 2008 Creating WebQuests for the K-12 Classroom – Based on a template from The WebQuest Page NEXT The Solar System

2. NEXT Introduction WELCOME SCIENTISTS! Throughout history, humans have looked to the heavens for answers and inspiration. During this journey, you will be expanding your knowledge of the universe, utilizing your skills as a scientist in order to share your newly acquired knowledge, and making comparisons between astronomy and astrology. HOME

3. NEXT Task Your team of scientists will be gathering data to answer probing questions about the galaxy in order to share with each other and the world. Your team will create a presentation which incorporates a visual representation of the information you collect. HOME

4. NEXT Resources Answer these questions with the help of your team of scientists: And the following helpful websites: About Space- http://space.about.com/od/solarsystem/a/solarsystemtour.htm Nine Planet- http://www.nineplanets.org Solar Views- http://www.solarviews.com/eng/solarsys.htm NASA- http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/ http://nasascience.nasa.gov/planetary-science http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/solarsystem_worldbook_update.html http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/ National Geographic- http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system Planetary Organization- http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/groups/our_solar_system Solar System Net- http://www.the-solar-system.net/ United States Geological Survey- http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/SolarSystem/ http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/ StarDate Organization- http://stardate.org/resources/ssguide Four Mile Lab- http://www.fourmilab.ch/solar/solar.html PROBING QUESTIONS HOME

5. NEXT Process Step 1) Review the following rubric with your team of four scientists. Step 2) You and your team of four scientists will use the given websites to gather answers to the “Probing Questions”. HOME

6. NEXT Process Step 3) Your team of scientists will split into pairs: Sensitive Scientists (2) Stoic Scientists (2) Both pairs will present their given tasks in tandem and include a comparison of the essential components of Astronomy and Astrology. HOME

7. NEXT Process Sensitive Scientists- The sensitive scientists will apply the gathered information to create a verbal and visual presentation of astrology; including it’s relation to constellations, and a sample horoscope for each of the 12 signs of the zodiac. HOME

8. NEXT Process Stoic Scientists- The stoic scientists will apply the gathered information to create a verbal and visual presentation of our solar system; including a scale model of all planets, a description of characteristics on each planet, and whether or not life is possible on each. HOME

9. NEXT Evaluation Scientists, you will be evaluated with the following rubric: RUBRIC HOME

10. NEXT Conclusion Congratulations Scientists! You have successfully gathered a large body of knowledge on our solar system, it’s place in the universe, and the difference between Astronomy and Astrology. Use this newfound wisdom well! HOME

11. NEXT StandardsFrom Ohio Academic Content Standards - science standards (9-12) Explain the characteristics, cycles and patterns involving Earth and its place in the solar system. Explain that Earth is one of several planets to orbit the sun, and that the moon orbits Earth. Describe the characteristics of Earth and its orbit about the sun (e.g., three-fourths of Earth's surface is covered by a layer of water [some of it frozen], the entire planet surrounded by a thin blanket of air, elliptical orbit, tilted axis and spherical planet). Explain that stars are like the sun, some being smaller and some larger, but so far away that they look like points of light. HOME

12. NEXT StandardsFrom Ohio Academic Content Standards - science standards (9-12) Describe how objects in the solar system are in regular and predictable motions that explain such phenomena as days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. Explain that gravitational force is the dominant force determining motions in the solar system and in particular keeps the planets in orbit around the sun. Compare the orbits and composition of comets and asteroids with that of Earth. Describe the effect that asteroids or meteoroids have when moving through space and sometimes entering planetary atmospheres (e.g., meteor-"shooting star" and meteorite) HOME

13. NEXT StandardsFrom Ohio Academic Content Standards - science standards (9-12) Explain that the universe consists of billions of galaxies that are classified by shape. Explain interstellar distances are measured in light years (e.g., the nearest star beyond the sun is 4.3 light years away). Examine the life cycle of a star and predict the next likely stage of a star. Name and describe tools used to study the universe (e.g., telescopes, probes, satellites and spacecraft). HOME

14. NEXT Teacher Notes Teachers, the stoic scientists may need additional supplies, such as styrofoam spheres, paints, wires, plaster of paris, modeling clay, etc. HOME

15. NEXT Citations About.com. (2008). Solar System Tour-Pictures and Facts of Our Solar System. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://space.about.com/od/solarsystem/a/solarsystemtour.htm Arnett, B. (2008, February 8). The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System-one star, eight planets, and more. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from the Nine Planets Web site: http://www.nineplanets.org Hamilton, C. (2005). The Solar System. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from the Solar Views Web site: http://www.solarviews.com/eng/solarsys.htm National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2008, June 13). Our Solar System Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/ National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2008, May 28). Planets-Science Mission Directorate. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/planetary-science HOME

16. NEXT Citations National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2008, June 13). Solar System Exploration. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/index.cfm National Geographic Society. (2008). Solar System Information, Facts, News, Photos. Retrieved from: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2007, November 29). Solar System World Book. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/solarsystem_worldbook_update.html National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.). Photojournal:NASA’s Image Access. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2005, May 10). Welcome to the Planets. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/ HOME

17. NEXT Citations Ohio Department of Education. (2007, July 9). Science Academic Content Standards. Retrieved June 14, 2008, from: http://www.ode.state.oh.us The Planetary Society. (2008). Explore the Cosmos. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/groups/our_solar_system/ Thralow, Inc. (2001) Pictures of the Planets. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from the Solar System Web site: http://www.the-solar-system.net/ United States Geological Survey. (2008, February 29). The Solar System. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/SolarSystem/ United States Geological Survey. (2008, May 5). Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved June 12, 2008 from: http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/ HOME

18. Citations The University of Texas. (2008). Solar System Guide/StarDate Online. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from: http://stardate.org/resources/ssguide/ Walker, J. (March 1995) Solar System Live. Retrieved June 12, 2008, from the Solar System LiveWeb site: http://www.fourmilab.ch/solar/solar.html HOME