Planetary Investigation

Name:______________________ Section: _____ Ronald Edmonds Learning Center (K113)

Mr. Kinney’s Science Class Planetary Research Project

Introduction So far, we’ve explored how the Earth, Moon, and Sun interact with each other to create seasons, eclipses, rotations, and revolutions. Now, it’s time to explore the rest of the Solar System. There are 7 other planets and 3 dwarf planets–many with their own moons. Your mission will be to investigate one of these other bodies and present your findings to your colleagues.

Research After you’ve drawn a card and you know what planet you will be researching, it’s time to hit the books. Here are some examples of basic information that you’ll want to know about your planet. • • • • • •

Name of the planet Its diameter or size Its distance from the Sun Length of its year (orbital revolution) Length of its day (rotation) Its moons (if it has any)

• • • • •

What is the planet made of? Have we ever explored this planet? If not, why? Would it be difficult for us to live on this planet? Why or why not? A description of the planet. Is there anything that sets this planet apart from other planets?

There are a number of books at your disposal in the classroom. Some of the books may contain different information. If that happens, check the copyright date on one of the first few pages of the book. Choose the most recent book. The list above is the very basics. The more detailed your research is, the higher your grade will be.

End product After you’ve conducted your research, you need to create two products: a written piece and a poster. You will be presenting your findings to the class. The written piece Your written piece should be five paragraphs in length. Your paper should include all of the research that you’ve conducted. The first paragraph should be an introduction to your planet and include its name, distance from the sun, and a brief description of what it looks like. Your second paragraph should include a description of what the planet is made up of, the length of its day, and of its year. The third paragraph should include any features that separate it from other planets and a description of its moons. Your fourth and fifth paragraphs should include any previous exploratory missions to this planet and whether or not a human station on this planet would succeed. The visual piece Each research team should create a oak tag poster including all of the information needed in the written piece plus visual representations of the planet itself.