PLANETARY TRAVEL PROJECTS (100 pts, due October 6)
In these 1 1/2 weeks, we conclude our unit on the solar system, though we will return to astronomy later in the year. What we will do is research and prepare a travel program for a tour through our solar system. You will work in groups of four.
The tour is going to be organized around themes about surface features. The eight available themes are
Mountains Craters Oceans Volcanoes
Ice Caps Valleys Plains Storms
You will choose one destination on Earth and three other destinations in the Solar System that feature examples of your theme.
While your project should be entertaining, it must be informative. The following facts must be included:
1) Distance Traveled – When you go from one destination to the next, calculate the distance traveled in miles and AU. To make it simple, assume that the Earth is on the same side of the sun as your tour destination when you launch.
2) Temperature – How hot does your destination get at day? How cold at night? What clothing would you recommend to wear when visiting the destination?
3) Size of the Feature – How big is it? How high? How wide?
4) Describe the Feature – What makes it special? Why did you choose to go here? What do you want your clients to see?
5) History of the Feature – How was it discovered? What tools did we use to learn so much about it?
6) Activities – What activities do you have planned when visiting this feature? Also, will you go elsewhere on the planet for activities?
7) Bibliography – You will write an MLA-style bibliography as part of your work. Google CANNOT be cited as a source. If you use google, look up the source it used to find the information!
You may submit your work in one of three ways – you can make a display board, you may write a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation, or you may make a movie. Whichever way you choose, you will be asked to present it to the class starting October 4.
Enjoy!