Planetary Web Quest

Science 7-9 Ms. Chatteinier

Adapted from a web quest by Jason Hovey.

Welcome to the intergalactic Web Quest! You will shortly begin an exciting exploration of the Planets in our Solar System. The web sites you will soon visit have a variety of exciting facts and photos of the different planets. Get comfortable and prepare to journey to the outmost reaches of the solar system.

The Task
You are a member of an international scientific team in charge of the first planetary colony in our solar system. Your team must analyze the different planets and decide on which planet to colonize. While there is no right answer, your team must give reasons both for why you chose a particular planet and why you did not choose the other planets. At the completion of this assignment each team will also need to:
1. Identify all the planets from their pictures
2. Give general physical characteristics of the planets they researched
3. Evaluate the web sites they used as sources


The Process
PART I: The Gathering

You must first meet meet with your team of between 3 and 5 members. With your team, brainstorm any information you know about the planets of our solar system. This can include size, location, names, number, physical characteristics, or any other facts you may know. This will help you to understand the strengths within your group and just how much information your group may already know. Next, decide what your group would like to learn about the planets of our solar system. Make a list and make sure each person in the group has a copy. You may stumble across the answer while you're on the Web Quest.


PART II: Division of Responsibilities

In your group divide yourself into different roles from the ones listed below. Each of the different role will be responsible for gathering different information. Each team member may visit the same web sites, but you will be gathering differing information.
The Roles:
¨Mission Commander
¨Photographer
¨Environmental Specialist
¨Geographical Engineer
¨Planetary Historian
After each team member knows their role, as a group decide which planets you are going to visit. You must visit at least three planets (not including Earth!) and have information about them in your final project. Remember, the more planets you visit, the more brief you want your information on each planet in order to finish on time.

PART III: Planetary Exploration                  


 

Mission Commander:
You are responsible for discovering the location of the planets in the solar system. Which planet is closet to the sun? Which is farthest? Are there any planets particularly close together that might facilitate other planetary colonies?

Photographer:    
Can you find pictures of each of the planets? Are you able to tell the planets apart from each other? Be prepared to explain and teach your team members how to tell the planets apart.

Environmental Specialist:
What are the atmospheric conditions of the planets? Are there any planets with conditions close to Earth's? What might be required to establish a colony on a given planet?

Geographical Engineer:                       
What is the terrain like on each of the planets? Are they flat, mountainous, watery, gaseous, etc.? Are there any planets with geographical features similar to Earth's? What sort of structures would be necessary for a colony on these planets?

Planetary Historian:
How did we come to learn about the planets? What is the particular history behind each planet? Are there aspects of the planets that have made them seem good or evil throughout human history?

Planetary Webquest

Links and Credits

These links will be used to provide students with information and pictures relating to the planets in our solar system. The links are to governmental or educational run web sites. Students will be able to gather factual information about each planet's physical characteristics, location, and history. Students will also have the ability to capture magnificent images of the planets.

Web Sites with information on the Planets