Exploration Space

With the recent exploration of Mars our space program has decided to send 2 astronauts on a mission into space to find what planets or moons may or may not be capable of colonization.  Think about where you would like to explore and narrow your list to three places and then it is time to lift off.  

New Hampshire Standards -

• S:ESS3:4:1.1 Recognize that astronomical objects in space are massive in size and are separated from one another by vast distances.

• S:ESS2:4:3.2 Recognize that the Earth is one of a number of planets that orbit the Sun.

• S:ESS2:4:2.1 Recognize that the Sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the Earth.

Flight Itinerary (Task) - You will be setting course for your targets with some knowledge of the planets or moons you have targeted, but upon arrival you must collect as much information as possible because you will only be on the planet for a short period of time.  You will have a log with which has been issued by the flight commander and you will need to complete this at every stop because the Space Program will need this information before a final decision will be made. Your goal for the mission is to have an expert understanding of the three places you visited.  Your will be able to present information about how the solar system is designed, how the sun warms the planets, appreciate and describe the size of the planets and how far apart they are from each other.  

Process - You will be researching via the internet which is fully functioning on the spacecraft.  The flight commander has given you a list of resources that can aide you in finding facts about your destinations that can aide the research and selection process. You will be searching for information that describes the planets or moons you are traveling to.  Examples of the research should be size, weight, atmosphere, water, food, and other living organisms.  In addition to the research you will be conducting you will need to also work independently to describe everything that is described in your role. The flight crew will be required to fill in a worksheet that the command center and the Space Program has designed. Feel free to go on the internet and search for additional information that can strengthen your case.  

PIlot - setting the gps to determine direction, write a small landing report, take pictures of the planet from the ground. Because not every plant has been explored the pilot may draw the pictures in replacement of actual on foot photos.  

Co-pilot - establish estimated time of arrival, document the physical features of the planet, take pictures of the planet on the approach landing.

Your drawings and your log sheets will be collected upon return to Earth to the flight commander.  Once the post flight checklist is concluded you will be debriefed and asked to report to the Space Program your findings and make a recommendation about where to explore and inhabit next.

Students will be able to conduct research and present an argument that defends their findings.  Students will have the ability understand how far planets are away from each other and how the the orbits may differ.  Placement in the the solar system determines how warm or cold the given object and students will be able to explain this.  Students will also be able to make a decision on whether or not people could survive on a different planet or moon in our solar system.