Task Sheet

Is there life on other planets?

(Planetary Research Project)

Could there be life on other celestial objects right here in our solar system? You have studied habitability factors including: temperature, water, atmosphere, energy and nutrients. Your mission is to explore acelestial object within our solar system and make a claim as to whether or not you believe there is/was life on that planet or moon. You will use supporting evidence from your research to support or refute your original hypothesis. After researching the habitability factors of your assigned celestial body (planet or moon), you will make a claim as to whether or not there could possibly be, or was life on that celestial body. You will work to convince NASA whether or not they should send their next mission to your planet or moon. In explaining your position, you will provide reasons that elaborate your ideas. Your team will present your findings to the other members of the scientific community via a presentation.Remember, these missions are very costly so you must be very convincing!

You will work in teams of threeand you will all contribute to all portions of the project. This project will count as ONE TEST grade & ONE QUIZ GRADE(presentation and a public speaking grade) and ONE HABITS OF MIND. (Work ethic, staying on task, equally contributing member)

Research

You may only use the habitability cards and the approved websites listed below. Do NOT Google other sites. Many Astrobiology sites are written at the college level or beyond and are not appropriate for middle school use. If you think you want to include additional information, ask the teacher if the website you want to use data from is OK. Websites for research are listed below.

Sites

Presentation (minimum requirements)

Each group member must cover at least 1 habitability factor in the presentation and have a fairly even distribution of all slides in your presentation.

Title Slide

Introduction Slide – One slide of basic information about your planet/moon

Hypothesis- One slide stating your original prediction

Drake equation – Discuss the Drake equation and your groups opinion on how many other worlds you think are habitable, how many have developed life and how many have developed intelligent life with radio communicating (or better) technology. Use the Drake equation worksheet to develop your ideas and response. This can be on one slide to discuss.

Evidence Slides– One slide per habitability factor (Temperature, Water, Atmosphere, Energy, & Nutrients)These should be split among group members. Each member must cover at least one habitability factor.

Analysis Slides – What does your evidence tell you? Did you identify any Earthly environments that may be similar? Did you identify any Earthly extremophiles that can exist under similar habitability factors that your world has? Does it support or refute your hypothesis?

Conclusion – Is their life on the planet/moon you researched? Should NASA send their next mission to your planet/moon? WHY?

You will be given the following documents to help you keep organized:

  • Checklist of Supporting Evidence
  • A daily progress log
  • Presentation Guidelines
  • Tips for creating an effective PowerPoint Presentation
  • Oral Presentations – Point to Remember
  • Rubric: Presentation and Public Speaking and HOM

Habits of Mind

As with the presentation (test) and oral presentation (quiz) components of your grade, your habits of mind will be gradedusing a separate rubric. You will be assessed on how well you remain on task, manage your time, listen to others in your group and consider new ideas.