Introduction
- (MS CCRS: Science) - E.6.8: Students will demonstrate an understanding of Earth’s place in the universe and the interactions of the solar system (sun, planets, their moons, comets, and asteroids) using evidence from multiple scientific resources to explain how these objects are held in orbit around the Sun because of its gravitational pull.
- NGSS: MS-ESS1-1
Objectives:
- TSW demonstrate an understanding of Earth's place in the universe with 70% accuracy.
- TSW explain the interactions of the solar system with 70% accuracy.
Today, you will work with a partner on completing a WebQuest on Earth's place in the Universe. You and your partner will be working together as scientists to investigate how complex structure and functions developed the universe's hierarchical organization, as well as the interactions of the solar system. You will look for and determine how objects in the universe are held in orbit around the Sun. As you and your partner investigate the solar system, keep this essential question in mind: How do the surface features of the Sun affect Earth?
Task
For this assignment, your task will be to visit several websites to investigate the Earth and the Universe. As you go through this process, make sure that you pay attention to detail to all of the information provided. Read closely and think critically. While reading, I highly encourage you take notes on what you read. Jot down the information that stands out to you and what you feel is important. As I said, you are investigating. After completing the WebQuest, you will be expected to answer four multiple choice questions covering the certain information you gathered through your investigation. After answering these questions, you will write one paragraph explaining how the gravitational pull keeps objects in orbit around the Sun.
Process
To begin your investigation, you will first go through NASA's "Solar System Exploration."
- Start with the Solar System Facts: https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/solar-system-facts/
- After reading the facts, read NASA's information on asteroids, comets, and meteors: https://science.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-meteors/
Next, you will watch a short video about the Solar System:
After the video, read these three articles below:
- Gravitational pull: https://www.sciencefriday.com/educational-resources/solar-system-gravity/
- Motion/movement in space: https://science.nasa.gov/learn/basics-of-space-flight/chapter2-1/
- Surface features of the Sun: https://k12.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Science_and_Technology/Earth_Science/22%3A_The_Solar_System/22.04%3A_Surface_Features_of_the_Sun
Lastly, watch this video on the hierarchy of the universe:
Evaluation
| 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paragraph is not accurate at all. The student did not provide accurate information. | Paragraph is somewhat accurate. The student provided minimal accurate information. | Paragraph is mostly accurate. The student provided mostly accurate information with few mistakes. | Paragraph is completely accurate. The student provided accurate information with no mistakes. |
| 0 | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The student answered all 4 questions incorrectly | The student answered 1 question correctly. | The student answered two questions correctly. | The student answered 3 questions correctly. | The student answered all 4 questions correctly. |
Conclusion
After completing this WebQuest, take a minute to reflect on what you investigated and learned. The universe is extremely vast and complex. It's fascinating to learn more about the universe; the Earth-Sun-Moon system, the solar system, and objects in space. Did you enjoy this WebQuest? Was it interesting? Did you learn something new?
You learned a lot about Earth and the Universe. You took on the role of a scientist and investigated the solar system and the Universe. Understanding Earth and the Universe, and Earth's place in the Universe, prepares you and gives you knowledge on the complexities of our universe, the reasoning behind certain phenomena, and how Earth is affected. Earth is your home! It is important to know how our world works.
Credits
NASA
MCCRS
NGSS
Khan Academy
YouTube
Teacher Page
This WebQuest was created in alignment with the MSCCRS and the NGSS. This WebQuest was created for a 6th grade science classroom.