Science Trail 2010: By: Megan Bucher & Allison Gallahan Name:
Introduction: Welcome to Manchester College! Today we will take a journey through the solar system. We hope you brought your sense of adventure here we go! Map:
Stop 1: Now it s time to learn some facts about the planets. Each of you will be assigned a planet to research. Based on the planet we assign you, please look for the information pages in the classroom and use them to complete your row on the chart below. You may also refer back to the story we read to fill in the boxes. Once everyone has found out information about their planet, we will come back together as a group to share our findings.
Planet Size Distance from Sun Mercury Surface Composition Color Temperatur e Fun Fact Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
Stop 2: Now that we have learned a little bit more about each planet, we are going to make a human model of the solar system. Order of the Planets Sun Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
Stop 3: We have learned the different characteristics of each planet as well as their order. Now let s see how far apart they really are by measuring their distance from the sun and from each other. Find the planet you have been researching about and use the string that goes with it to measure out how far your planet is from the sun. Planet Diameter Distance Sun 36 inches Mercury 12 inches 30 inches Venus 18 inches 48 inches Earth 18 inches 60 inches Mars 15 inches 72 inches Jupiter 48 inches 84 inches Saturn 30 inches 96 inches Uranus 24 inches 120 inches Neptune 15 inches 138 inches
Extra Time: Sun Mercury Venus Earth Moon Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto Asteroid Comet Meteor Crater Rings Milky Way Solar System Which of the above used to be called a planet but now isn t because it s too small? www.bogglesworldesl.com
Dear Family, We have taken your student on a journey through the solar system! Now it s your turn to have some fun with them. In addition to completing the science trail at Manchester College, there is a Web Quest that goes along with what we worked on with the students. This Web Quest is an interactive online activity that furthers your student s learning about the solar system. The website is http://users.manchester.edu/student/amgallahan/webquest325/inde x.htm and if you have any questions ours email addresses are: mabucher@spartans.manchester.edu & amgallahan@spartans.manchester.edu. We hope you and your student enjoy learning and exploring together. Sincerely, Megan Bucher and Allison Gallahan Dear Student, We hope you enjoyed learning about the solar system on our science trail. We have created a special online Web Quest for you to have more space adventures. You can take your parents with you this time and learn something together. Here is the website: http://users.manchester.edu/student/amgallahan/webquest325/inde x.htm and if you have any questions ours email addresses are: mabucher@spartans.manchester.edu & amgallahan@spartans.manchester.edu. Enjoy your adventure! Sincerely, Allison Gallahan and Megan Bucher
Teacher Page Topic: Solar System Big Idea: Increase understanding of natural world Overall goal: Be able to compare & contrast planets in the solar system Standard: 6.2.4 Compare and contrast the planets of the solar system with one another and with asteroids and comets with regard to their size, compositions, distance from the stun, surface features and ability to support life. Children s Literature Book: The Planets in the Solar System by Franklyn M. Branley STOP 1: Objectives: After researching for 15 minutes, students will complete a chart based on distance, size, composition, surface, and color of their planet. Assessment: Student will complete the row & Teacher will make sure information is correct for the given planet. Location: Classroom Prior Work: Find materials to have students look at & collect information from. Time: 10-15 minutes Activity: Research the planet assigned to you & fill- in the information you find on the graph below. Graph: Planet Size Distance from Sun Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Surface Composition Color Temperature Fun Fact
STOP 2: Objectives: Using the information collected at Stop 1, students will create a human model of the solar system and present the information collected with 100% accuracy. Assessment: Can the students figure out the proper order and placement of the planets? Can they relay they information collected at Stop 1 to their peers correctly. Location: Mall Prior Work: n/a Time: 20-25 minutes Activity: Create human model of the solar system & have students pick one characteristic of their planet to act out. STOP 3: Objectives: Using a list of measurements and homemade tape measures, students will create an accurate distance model of the solar system with 85% accuracy. Assessment: We will go up to the top of the bleachers & make sure planets line up with premeasured cones on the sideline. Location: Football Field Prior Work: Make tape measures & Pre-measure distances Time: 40 minutes Activity: Create a model of the solar system using both accurate distances and sizes.