Independent
Site Visits 8th Grade:
NASA
Resource Center: Planetary Adaptation
Grade Level: 8th
Learning standard: S3c, S4a, S5c, S7d, S8d
Time Requirement: 4 hours at site
Topics Covered by
this Lesson: composition of the
various planets, types of mythical life forms that would survive on the various
planets
Purpose: The students have already been introduced to the
solar system. The purpose of the
visit is to give students an idea of the composition of the various planets.
Objective: The students will examine the composition of the
various planets and determine what sort of life forms could survive there.
Materials Required: colored posters of the various planets,
information concerning the structure and composition of the various planets,
poster boards, markers, worksheets
Learning
Prerequisites: Students would
have already been introduces to the planets in the solar system. They also have a research worksheet
handed out by the teacher.
Visit: Students may get an introduction to the Resource
Center from Dr. Goldstein who runs the Center. They will then be allowed to investigate the stacks of
posters and other information on the shelves. Each group should take information relevant to their
research project.
Post Visit:
Homework: Students will work in-groups to research a particular
planet. After researching the
planet students will create a creature that could live on their planet. Using the poster board and other
materials, they will draw and present the planet, creature, and reasoning to
the class for evaluation.
MSTEP
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