Reporting on the Industrial Revolution

SPACE SEEKERS

Orion's Horsehead Nebula
Credit & Copyight: Loke Kun Tan (StarryScapes)

A WebQuest for Science 9

Designed by Janine Fernandes and Ruth Wadsworth

INTRODUCTION

You are a member of an international space team charged with the responsibility of establishing the first planetary colony in our solar system. In order to do so, your team must first analyze the different planets and decide on which planet to colonize. This will require an understanding of viable characteristics of your planet. To justify your decision, your team must give reasons for:

1) Why you chose a particular planet

2) Why you did not choose the other planets

3) Your research will provide you with insight on the various living conditions that could promote and support life. Based on this information, your team will speculate as to the types of life forms that might inhabit your planet. What might we expect these extra-terrestrials to look like? This information will help NASA to understand and promote inter-planetary diversity and understanding.

The Iron Sun
Credit: SOHO - EIT Consortium, ESA, NASA

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THE TASK

Coronal Rain, Solar Storm
Credit: TRACE Project, NASA

As members of the international space team, you will be required to carry to the following assignment:

1. Researching the physical characteristics of all the planets in our solar system.

2. Preparing a confidential report that highlights the planet you have chosen to colonize. Your report should include: a) why you chose a particular planet and b) why you did not choose the other planets.

3. Design a model or drawing of the idealized species that might inhabit your planet. You will be required to justify your design based on the information you have gathered about your planet.

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RESOURCES

SNR 0103-72.6: Oxygen Supply
Credit: S.Park, D. Burrows (PSU) et al., Chandra Observatory, NASA

To complete this project, you will need to go to the following sites on the Internet:

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Credit: J. Hester (ASU), CXC, HST, NRAO, NSF, NASA

FORMAT

1) You will be required to hand in the following components:

- Worksheet on the planets

- Your "Colony Development" report

- A model or drawing of your species

Dark Sky, Bright Sun
Credit: STS-82 Crew, NASA

2) There is no restriction in terms of length or how you present your final work, so long as all the requirements are met.

3) Create a bibliography of all the resources that you used. Make sure you copy down all the required information when you are making your notes.

APA Style Sheet

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EVALUATION

Drawing Credit: Wolfram Freudling et al. (STECF), ESO, ESA, NASA

The following project will be graded out of a mark of 20. You will be graded in three areas:

1) Creativity (35%)

2) Content (45%)

3) Conventions (spelling, grammar, use of APA format for bibliography) (20%)

Please use the rubric below as a guide when completing your assignment.

	1	2	3	4
Creativity (35%)	Lacks creativity in presentation Lacks creativity in thinking and problem-solving	Displays some creativity but does not enhance the presentation of argument and logic Lack of innovation in ideas	Displays creativity with ideas and medium but could be further explored to enhance the presentation Good ability for lateral thinking	Displays exceptional creativity in chosen medium that supports the presentation of the argument Displays strong ability towards lateral thinking Innovative ideas
Content (45%)	No link between student interpretation and assignment question Arguments do not follow a logical sequence Arguments lack clarity	Vague link between student interpretation and assignment question – connection is implied but not explicitly stated Arguments are vague Arguments do not follow a logical sequence	Good link between student interpretation and assignment question – further elaboration required Argument follow a logical sequence Arguments are clear	Strong articulated link between student interpretation and assignment question Arguments follow a logical sequence Arguments are clearly presented
Conventions (20%)	Major and minor spelling and grammar errors that cause reader confusion Fragmented Lack of clarity Lack of attention to neatness	Some major and minor spelling and grammar errors, resulting in some reader confusion Some challenges with flow and clarity that contribute to reader confusion Improvements in neatness required	Some major and minor spelling and grammar errors, but do not contribute to reader confusion Some challenges with flow and clarity but do not contribute to reader confusion Attention to neatness	No major or minor spelling and grammar errors Excellent flow Presented with clarity Attention to neatness

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To contact please email Mrs. Wadsworth