Introduction
Welcome: Exploring the Solar System 
Description: This WebQuest is about the solar system's 8 planets and their characteristics. Students will know the differences between the planets and how far away they are from Earth.
Grade Level: 3-5
Curriculum: Science
Keywords: solar system,stars,planets,mercury,venus,earth,pluto,uranus,mars,
jupiter,neptune,saturn
Author: Yolanda Arguelles
Intro:
Scientists need your help. There is a problem with the solar system but nobody can figure out what is exactly wrong. They seem to be missing important information about the eight planets in our solar system. You have been hired to help solve the problem. NASA wants to blast off into space to fix whatever is going wrong. Before they do this, they need you to search the web to find as much information as possible about each planet. Make sure you visit every website for your role in order to prepare them for their upcoming journey. Have fun and good luck!
Task
Today you will be going on a journey through the solar system. You will being exploring different websites to find information about the characteristics of the eight planets. While you are exploring the websites, you will fill out the planet record sheet for the two planets the you are assigned.
Process
First you will break up into a team of 4 students. Each team member will be assigned two planets that they will conduct their research on. The planet assignments are as follows:
Team member 1- Mercury and Venus
Team member 2- Earth and Mars
Team member 3- Jupiter and Saturn
Team member 4- Uranus and Neptune
-For the planets experts, the PowerPoint listed below the websites may also be helpful.
Note: You may want to right click and select "open in new window" for each website, so you don't lose the WebQuest while exploring each webpage.
Before heading to the web sites watch the Planets Song Video!
[video:https://youtu.be/noiwY7kQ5NQ]
Planet Websites:
- http://www.kids.f9.net.uk/flash/planets/about_planets.html
- http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/planets.html
- http://www.kids.nineplanets.org/intro.htm
- http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/planets.html
Evaluation
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Conclusion
By now, you should be an expert on the two planets that you researched as well as know some of the characteristics of your classmates' planets, awesome work!
Credits
The websites and resources found in this webquest are outside websites and I thank them for their information and useful webpages.
-http://www.kids.f9.net.uk/flash/planets/about_planets.html
- http://www.frontiernet.net/~kidpower/planets.html
- http://www.kids.nineplanets.org/intro.htm
- http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/planets.html
- http://www.kids-and-space.com
PPT from online source:
Quiz Assesment from online source:
Planet Song Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noiwY7kQ5NQ&feature=youtu.be
Teacher Page
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Focus: This WebQuest will focus on elementary aspects of the solar system. The idea of the solar system and the planets is always an interesting topic for students to engage in.
- Element 32: Presenting unusual or intriguing information.
Objective/Goals:
This WebQuest is to be used as an introductory project to the solar system. Students should learn basic facts about each planet, as well as the sun and the moon. After they complete this project, a follow-up assignment can be conducted going further into detail about aspects of the solar system.
- Students will understand basic facts and general details about the two planets that were assigned
- Students will gain more of an interest in these topics because the WebQuest involves hand on experience with the internet.
- Students will gain experience working in groups and learn how to work as a team.
Created by: Yolanda Arguelles