Mission: The Solar System

Introduction

Calling all future astronauts!

We’ve been chosen by NASA for a special space mission: to explore our solar system and report back to Earth! To complete your mission, you’ll learn how the Sun, Earth, and Moon move, and figure out the correct order of the planets. Get ready to blast off on a WebQuest adventure through the stars

Task

You will:

  1. Watch videos to learn about the orbits of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

  2. Explore the planets and put them in the correct order.

  3. Create a model to show how the Earth, Sun, and Moon move

  4. Create a “Solar System Passport” to show what you’ve learned.

  5. Share what you learned with your class!

Process

Step 1: Learn About Orbits

Step 2: Order the Planets

  • Watch: NASA Kids Video – Planets

  • Use this rhyme to help remember the order:

    "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos"

    (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)

  • Drag-and-drop planets into the correct order on this online game:

     Solar System Order Game

  • Write the names of the 8 planets in order in your notebook.

Step 3: Build a Model

  • Use clay, paper, or digital tools to create a model showing:

    • The Sun in the center

    • The Earth orbiting the Sun

    • The Moon orbiting the Earth

  • Optional: Add the planets in correct order around the Sun!

Step 4: Create Your Solar System Passport

Use one page per planet (or a digital slide):

  • Name of the planet

  • One fun fact

  • Picture (drawn or printed)

  • How far it is from the Sun (in order)

Step 5: Share Your Work

  • Present your orbit model and passport to the class

  • Walk around and check out classmates’ work

  • Write down two new facts you learned from others

Evaluation
Grading Rubric
What You Did Great (3) Good (2) Needs Work (1)
Orbit Drawing and Facts Clear and correct Somewhat correct Incomplete
Planet Order All correct Some correct Many mistakes
Orbit Model Labeled and neat Basic Missing parts
Passport Complete and colorful Some missing parts Very incomplete
Sharing and Participation Tried your best Did most work Did not participate

 

Conclusion

Mission accomplished, astronauts! You explored orbits, identified all the planets, and shared your stellar knowledge. Now you know that the Earth orbits the Sun, the Moon orbits the Earth, and the planets follow a special order. Keep looking up—you’re made to explore the stars!

Credits

Vacca, R., Mraz, M. E., & Vacca, J. A. (2020). MyLab Education with Pearson eText - Access Card - for content area reading: Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum. Pearson.

ChatGPT

 

Teacher Page

Focus: Sun, Earth, and Moon orbits, and order of planets in the solar system.

TEKS 3rd grade Science b.9.A & B (9) Earth and space. The student knows there are recognizable objects and patterns in Earth's solar system. The student is expected to: (A) construct models and explain the orbits of the Sun, Earth, and Moon in relation to each other; and (B) identify the order of the planets in Earth's solar system in relation to the Sun.

Resources Links: 

YouTube 

https://youtu.be/iWNuW0_ycxc?si=LKBsc2dPiKyEkJcr

Nasa -Planets https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/planets/en/