Introduction
Imagine that you have been chosen to travel to one of the planets in our Solar System. Which planet would you like to visit and why?
In this activity you will use your research skills to find out:
- how the position of a planet in the Solar System affects conditions on the surface of the planet
- what it would be like to walk on different planets in the Solar System
- how your chosen planet compares with other planets in the Solar System.
You will be using your literacy skills to produce a presentation explaining your reasons for choosing your planet to other students your age.
Task
Prepare a presentation you can show to other students your age to explain which planet in the Solar System you would choose to visit and why.
Process
Step 1
Before preparing your presentation make sure you know the structure of the
Solar System.
Step 2
- Find out how the year-length and temperature depend on a planet’s position in the Solar System.
- Find out how gravity, day-length, atmosphere, and the surface vary on
different planets. - Use your research to compare the planets and choose which one you would like
to visit.
Step 3
Use your research to describe what it would be like to visit your chosen planet and why you chose it.
Step 4 (extension)
It isn’t possible for people to travel as tourists to different planets yet. Missions to the Moon and Mars have been planned. Describe some difficulties faced by people wanting to travel into space.
Step 5
Plan the structure of your presentation and the information you will include.
Your presentation should include at least eight slides. Do not put too much information
on each slide; you can include diagrams instead of long explanations.
Step 6
Create your presentation.
Sources
The Solar System
These websites describe the structure of the Solar System. You can also find out about different planets, their moons, and conditions on each planet.
www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMF8WVLWFE_OurUniverse_0.html
www.bobthealien.co.uk/table.htm
Weather on other planets
This website compares weather conditions on the planets in our Solar System.
www.spaceplace.nasa.gov/planet-weather/
The structure of other planets
This website contains facts about the structure of other planets in our Solar System.
www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/planets.html
Gravity on other planets
This website calculates your weight on other planets.
www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/
Problems of space travel (extension)
This site gives information about problems facing people who travel in space.
www.ehow.com/info_8109558_problems-space-exploration-travel.html
Evaluation
You have now prepared a presentation you can show to other students your age to explain which planet in the Solar System you would visit and why.
- Look at the questions below and check whether you have met the brief.
- Have you explained how the year-length and temperature depend on a planet’s position in the Solar System?
- Have you described the different conditions on the different planets?
- Have you said which planet you would like to visit?
- Have you described what it would be like to visit this planet?
- Have you explained why you chose this planet?
- Is your presentation at least eight slides long?
- Have you included images and headings?
- Have you used pictures and language suitable for people your age?