Name: ______Date: ______
Planet Mechanic Simulation Worksheet
Planet Mechanic is a game about planets and their specific properties. In this game players have the ability to experiment with a planet orbiting a star, and to alter the planet’s core attributes of atmosphere, tilt, rotation, and moon. They will be challenged to create specific planetary conditions to appease the ever-changing whims of a race of aliens living on the planet. The aliens will require alterations in temperature, atmosphere, seasons, day length, tides, and even eclipses to meet certain living conditions from level to level. Through his or her actions, a player will be able to model how a planet’s attributes work together to impact the properties and conditions of that world. (BrainPOP)
Game Play Instructions
· Visit: https://www.filamentgames.com/fws2/products/planet-mechanic and enter your ‘Play Code'.
· There are 15 levels in this game. To start the game, choose Level 1 and progress through each of the levels in sequence.
· In each level, you will be challenged to create specific planetary conditions to meet the needs of aliens living on the planet. These aliens are referred to as your “client” in this game.
· While in the level, you may check the goals by clicking on the buttons on the upper left corner.
· To learn about the function of the different parameters, you may hover your mouse over them and click on the icon.
N. Bajaj: www.changegamer.ca
Level 1: We’re Sunk
1. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook
2. What are tides?
3. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 2: Too much of a Good Thing
4. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook
5. What factor determines the length of days and nights on a planet?
6. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 3: Hurry up and Wait!
7. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook
8. What factor determines the duration of a planet’s year?
9. What is the distance between the Earth and the Sun?
10. The closer a planet is to the sun, the ______ it is.
11. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 4: Sweltering with a chance of snow
12. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on each of the following icons to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook.
13. What affect do seasons have on a planet?
14. Does Earth have seasons? Why?
15. What are Earth’s minimum and maximum temperatures?
16. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 5: Can I Get a Lift?
17. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on each of the following icons to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook.
18. How is a planet’s atmosphere related to its temperature?
19. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 6: A Bit of Inspired Lunacy
20. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook.
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21. When does a lunar eclipse occur?
22. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request. Illustrate a lunar eclipse by showing the relative positions of the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun.
Level 7: Solar Matinee
23. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook.
24. When does a solar eclipse occur?
25. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request. Illustrate a solar eclipse by showing the relative positions of the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun.
Level 8: Mercury Rising
26. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook.
27. What factors affect the temperature on a planet?
28. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 9: Attitude Adjustment
29. What is the client requesting in this level?
Click on the following icon to access facts from Planet Mechanic’s Handbook.
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30. What is tilt of a planet?
31. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 10: Flip-flopping Flotsam
32. What is the client requesting in this level?
33. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 11: Earth Envy
34. What is the client requesting in this level?
35. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 12: Which Hours are Ours?
36. What is the client requesting in this level?
37. Which parameter affects the length of a day? Explain briefly.
38. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 13: A Slippery Slope
39. What is the client requesting in this level?
40. What conditions are required for liquid water to exist?
41. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 14: Practically Perfect
42. What is the client requesting in this level?
43. Describe the parameter(s) that you changed to accomplish the client’s request.
Level 15: That’s No Moon
44. Manipulate different parameters to notice the effects they have on the planet.
N. Bajaj: www.changegamer.ca