Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?

Introduction

Title: Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?

Grade level: 3rd grade

Name of Creators: Daniel Gamboa, Mathew Leavitt, and Lisa Plattner

ISTE, NMPED and Common Core standards:

NMPED- NEW MEXICO Grade 3 SCIENCE STANDARDS

Strand II: Content of Science Standard III (Earth and Space Science): Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe, the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth’s systems.

K-4 Benchmark I: Know the structure of the solar system and the objects in the universe.

1. Describe the objects in the solar system (e.g., sun, Earth and other planets, moon) and their features (e.g., size, temperature).

Common Core:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.2.A: Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

Introduction: You are a prospective astronaut for NASA. Before you can be selected for this mission, you must first prove you have what it takes! NASA has decided to split you up into teams and have you compete to get your spot.

Task

You will start out by being assigned to a team and learning all about an assigned planet. After you finish the research, you must make a presentation with your team and try to persuade NASA (the teacher) on why your team should be chosen. Some type of media has to be used (video, ppt, etc.). Here is a copy of the Planet Worksheet to be completed along with your research.

Process

First, you will be separated into teams, and you will be assigned what planet you must become an expert on.

2. Go to http://solarviews.com/eng/solarsys.htm and fill out worksheet. Make sure you putting your writing skills to use and always writing in complete sentences.

3. Calculate your weight on the planet you are researching. As always, make sure you show your work!: http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/discover/quick/weight

4. Name 4 important skills needed to be an astronaut: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTUZypZ67cdtrZ3i_6N8ckywyhz6CEVQO

5. Make a presentation about your planet! Make sure everyone participates and has equal parts presenting this to NASA and to your competitors. You will need to create some type of media. This can be a powerpoint, a video, a visual. Get creative! Points will be deducted if everyone does not equally participate!

Evaluation

o Rubric:

	5	4	3	2	1
Writing	Student wrote in complete sentences and complete thoughts. There were little to none spelling or grammatical errors.	Student wrote in complete sentences with a few spelling or grammatical errors.	Student had many errors with writing .	Student had issues with things such as spelling and sentence structure.	Student did not write in complete and needs development.
Accuracy	There were no mistakes on the worksheet.	There were 1-2 mistakes on the worksheet.	There were 3-4 mistakes on the worksheet.	There were 4-5 mistakes on the worksheet.	There were more than 5 mistakes on the worksheet.
Teamwork	Student was active throughout assignment and worked well with peers.	Student worked well with peers, but could have participated more.	Student gave some effort, but could improve in this area.	Student gave minimal effort.	Student gave no effort.
Presentation	Student participated equally in the presentation.	Student participated equally but struggled with speaking.	Student's participation was not equal to others in the group.	Student had very little participation.	Student did not participate in presentation.
Media	Media was creative and engaging.	Media was creative and engaging, but had a few errors.	Media was sufficient, but had errors.	Media contained many errors and lacked creativity.	No media was used.

Conclusion

Once you have completed this mission, you will be an expert about your planet and most importantly, you did it as a team! Please don't let your curiosity stop here. I have provided more links for you to explore our solar system and beyond:

https://www.nasa.gov/

https://www.space.com/56-our-solar-system-facts-formation-and-discovery.html