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Introduction
Students will work in groups to research and compare planets to Earth. They will analyze the unique qualities of each planet and determine which planet they’d choose for a “Galactic Vacation.” Specific areas of emphasis include the physical characteristics of the planets, distances in space, and compatibility for life.Prerequisite Experience
Students should be able to conduct research online and use a word processor.They will use a spreadsheet, like Excel, to organize data.
Prior PowerPoint or other presentation software tool experience would be helpful.
Experience with image editing software (i.e. Photoshop or Paint) and the ability to capture images from the computer will also be helpful.
Teacher Prep Time
1 - 2 hours
Review the identified Web resources in Explore and these tutorials:
Project
Students will use the Web to conduct their research and an Excelspreadsheet to organize this information. They will use PowerPoint or
another presentation software to present findings and demonstrate their
applied understanding through the creation of a visual travel brochure.
They will add digital images to their final project to help visualize the
differences between the Earth and the other planets of the Solar System
Assessment/Grading
Using a presentation rubric, the student PowerPoint presentations will be evaluated on their content, their application of analytical skills, and their demonstration of tools to convey their applied understanding.Time Management Tips
Students should complete some research individually as a homework assignment.
Limit the number of slides students create in their final projects.
It’s best for students to work in pairs or teams of three for this lesson.