Class: 6 Science Date: 1/30/13 Solar System Simulator + Guide Objectives Today we will learn information about each planet and continue to familiarize ourselves with the solar system. We will learn this by using the mac lab to explore a solar system website. I will know you have learned it by your accurate completion of the accompanying packet that will guide you through the website. Standard NYS.Sci.4.2 Materials -computers -guide packets for each student -website: http://www.sunaeon.com/#/solarsystem/ Introduction -Explain that we are going to be exploring a website that is an interactive model of the solar system. -Explain expectations for behavior in the lab. Lesson Body - When we have arrived at the computer lab, distribute packets. -Help students navigate to the website -If you feel necessary, guide students through each step. Hopefully they will be able to follow the guide and navigate it on their own. Conclusion -ask for responses to the website. What was your favorite thing about it? Assessment -guide...filled in with questions answered
Space Scavenger Hunt You are going to explore the solar system, planet by planet, using this website: http://www.sunaeon.com/. You will answer questions about each Follow each step below to find the answers. 1. Click anywhere to zoom out to see the whole solar system. 2. To see what planets look like in orbit, click the (at the bottom of the screen) 5 times. Look at how quickly some planets move around the sun! Which planet takes the least amount of time to orbit around the sun? Which planet takes the most time to orbit around the sun? Which planet is spinning the fastest? Which planet is spinning the slowest? 3. Double click on Mercury. 4. Click and drag Mercury around to view the whole What color is Mercury?
5. Click on basics in the top right. How long does it take Mercury to orbit the sun? Why is Mercury hard to see? 6. Click on Structure on the left-hand side. Does Mercury have a thin or thick crust? 7. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 8. Double click Venus to zoom in. 9. Click and drag Venus around to view the whole What color is Venus? Venus is similar in size and interior structure to earth. What makes it more dangerous than earth? Describe Venus atmosphere. 10. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 11. Double click Earth to zoom in.
12. Click and drag Earth around to view the whole What color is Earth? True or False: The Earth is the densest 13. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 14. Double click Mars to zoom in. 15. Click and drag Mars around to view the whole What color is Mars? What is one thing about Mars that makes it similar to Earth? 16. Click Structure. How many miles thick is Mars core? 17. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 18. Double click Jupiter to zoom in. 19. Click and drag Jupiter around to view the whole
What color is Jupiter? How long does it take Jupiter to orbit the sun once? What causes Jupiter s stripes? How many moons does Jupiter have? 20. Click Structure. True or False: Jupiter is composed mostly of gas and liquid. 21. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 22. Double click Saturn to zoom in. 23. Click and drag Saturn around to view the whole What color is Saturn? How long does it take Saturn to orbit the sun once?
What are Saturn s rings made of? 24. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 25. Double click Uranus to zoom in. 26. Click and drag Uranus around to view the whole See if you can find the very tiny ring around Uranus. It is very faint. What color is Uranus? How long does it take Uranus to orbit the sun? True or False: Uranus has a lot of ice in its core. 27. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 28. Double click Neptune to zoom in. 29. Click and drag Neptune around to view the whole What color is Neptune?
How long does it take Neptune to orbit around the sun? Why is Neptune blue? 30. Click Solar System to return to the full view. 31. Double click the Sun to zoom in. 32. Click and drag the Sun around to view the whole What color is the Sun? Record 2 interesting facts you found about the Sun. What is one thing you liked about this activity? CONGRATULATIONS! You have now explored the solar system.