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Design Your Own Solar System Planet

Grade 5ScienceArt5 days

In this project, fifth-grade students engaged in designing their own unique solar system planet capable of supporting life by considering factors such as rotation, position in the solar system, and interactions with moons and other celestial bodies. This interdisciplinary learning experience combined art and science, allowing students to create artistic representations and analyze scientific data to understand climate, day/night cycles, and environmental impacts. Activities included creating sketches and models, analyzing celestial patterns, and reflecting on the process through a series of structured portfolio activities and reflection prompts.

Planet DesignCelestial InteractionLife SupportArtistic IntegrationCelestial MechanicsClimate Analysis

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can you design a unique planet that could support life, taking into consideration its rotation, position in the solar system, and interactions with celestial bodies?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What characteristics would your planet need to sustain life?
How does the rotation of your planet affect the length of its day and night?
How do the position and movements of your planet impact its seasons and climate?
In what ways does the size and order of your planet within its solar system affect its environment and potential for supporting life?
How can the visible appearance of moons or other celestial bodies from your planet provide insights into the dynamics of your solar system?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Understand the fundamental movements of celestial bodies, including Earth's rotation, and how these affect the day/night cycle.
Identify and explain the role of Earth's position in the solar system and its effects on seasons and climate.
Design a planet with consideration of scientific principles related to rotation, position, and celestial interactions.
Analyze the impact of a planet's physical and environmental characteristics on its ability to support life.
Integrate artistic and scientific concepts to create a visual and descriptive presentation of a designed planet.
Utilize data to predict patterns and changes in the celestial environment and analyze the observable appearance of moons or other celestial bodies.

Earth and Space Standards

5.9

Primary

Recognizes patterns among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system and their effects.Reason: This standard underpins the primary concepts of designing a planet, focusing on the celestial interactions and consequences.

Earth’s Movement Readiness Standards

5.9(A)

Primary

Demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis once approximately every 24 hours and explain how that causes the day/night cycle.Reason: Directly aligned with understanding and applying the concept of rotation affects for planet design.

Supporting Standards

4.9(A)

Secondary

Collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in seasons.Reason: Supports understanding of how rotation and positioning affects climatic conditions on the planet.

4.9(B)

Supporting

Collect and analyze data to identify sequences and predict patterns of change in the observable appearance of the Moon from Earth.Reason: Expands on celestial observations needed for designing and understanding planets' atmospheric and environmental interactions.

Solar System Supporting Standards

3.9(B)

Supporting

Identify the order of the planets in Earth's solar system in relation to the Sun.Reason: Helps in positioning the designed planet in relation to others, which affects environment and life support potential.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Astronaut's Rescue Mission Simulation

Engage students with an interactive simulation where they must create the design for a new planet to serve as a refuge for stranded astronauts. They will need to consider aspects such as day/night cycles, temperatures, and living conditions based on data readings they 'receive' about the planetary conditions from the spacecraft. This event connects to real-world space exploration scenarios, prompting students to think critically and creatively.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Planet Design Sketch and Concept

Students will start the project by sketching a rough concept of their planet, naming it creatively, and describing its key characteristics and symbolism. This activity blends art and science, asking students to consider scientific principals like rotation while encouraging imaginative planetary features.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Begin with a brainstorming session to imagine the life-supporting characteristics of your planet (e.g., atmosphere composition, water sources, vegetation).

2. Draft a rough sketch of your planet including its unique features, using colored pencils or art software.

3. Create a list of key characteristics (e.g., climate, gravity, rotation period) that influence the planet’s habitability.

4. Write a short description, naming the planet and explaining its unique properties and visual symbolism.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityInitial sketch and description of a uniquely designed planet.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 5.9 as it focuses on recognizing celestial patterns and simulating their effects on a designed environment.

Activity 2

Day/Night Cycle Simulator

Students will simulate the rotation of their planet, creating models and diagrams that demonstrate the day/night cycle to understand rotation effects.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Develop a rotating model of your planet using a globe or a ball to represent its rotation speed in relation to your planet's unique cycle.

2. Mark positions indicating different times of day and night on the model.

3. Create a diagram to show how the rotation contributes to changes in shadows and daylight, simulating the 24-hour Earth cycle or an alternate cycle for the designed planet.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA model and diagram showing the rotation and day/night cycle of the designed planet.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsFulfills 5.9(A) by demonstrating rotation and explaining its effects on day and night cycles.

Activity 3

Celestial Position Impact Analysis

Students will analyze how their planet’s position in the solar system affects its seasons, temperature, and climate and present their findings in a report.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the positions of planets in the solar system and consider how proximity to the sun could influence the climate of your designed planet.

2. Analyze how your planet’s tilt or lack thereof might affect its seasons and weather patterns.

3. Compile data in charts/graphs to visually represent the seasonal and climatic variations caused by its position.

4. Write a report, discussing the dynamics of your planet's seasons and climate with supporting evidence from your data analysis.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical report detailing the impact of solar system positioning on the designed planet’s climate and seasons.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports standard 4.9(A) by collecting and analyzing data regarding climate affected by planetary positioning.

Activity 4

Observational Moon Mapping

In this activity, students will imagine and create a visual representation of the observable moon(s) from their planet and identify how it orbits and the effects it has on their planet's environmental and celestial patterns.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Design visual maps or 3D models of the moon(s) visible from your planet, highlighting their appearance and size.

2. Analyze and map the orbital paths of these moons, predicting how they affect natural events such as tides or eclipses.

3. Present findings in a creative report or presentation, explaining the interplay between these moons and your planet’s environment.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA creative presentation or illustrated report on the moon(s) visible from the designed planet, including their orbits and effects.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligned with standard 4.9(B) by focusing on collecting information to predict changes in celestial patterns.

Activity 5

Planetary Order and Environmental Impact Study

Students will create a comprehensive study of where their planet is positioned in relation to others within their solar system, and analyze how this order influences potential life-supporting properties.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research the placement of planets within a solar system and how proximity influences space phenomena and conditions.

2. Position your designed planet within a hypothetical solar system map, justifying its placement and potential environmental outcomes.

3. Analyze its positioning effects on aspects like gravity, climate, resource availability, or potential for habitation.

4. Compile a report with evidence-based conclusions about the environmental and potentially life-supporting outcomes of your planet's order in the solar system.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed research report on the environmental impact of the planet’s order within a hypothetical solar system.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports standard 3.9(B) by identifying planetary order and analyzing environmental and life-support effects."

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Planet Design and Celestial Interaction Rubric

Category 1

Scientific Understanding and Application

Evaluating the depth of scientific knowledge applied in the design and understanding of celestial interactions.

Criterion 1

Celestial Mechanics Understanding

Knowledge and application of how celestial movements affect planet characteristics (rotation, seasons, shadow patterns, etc.).

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of celestial mechanics, effectively applying this knowledge to the design of a planet that participates in complex interactions affecting its climate and habitability.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows thorough understanding and application of celestial mechanics in designing a planet, with appropriate connections to its climate and habitability considerations.

Developing

2 Points

Demonstrates a basic understanding of celestial mechanics, but with limited application in designing a planet with minor insights into interactions affecting climate.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows minimal understanding of celestial mechanics with struggles in applying this knowledge to planet design, lacking insights into climate or interactions.

Criterion 2

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Skills in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to celestial observations and planetary impacts.

Exemplary

4 Points

Exhibits exceptional skill in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, providing insightful and accurate conclusions about planetary characteristics and their implications.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates strong skills in data collection and analysis, leading to well-reasoned interpretations and conclusions about planetary characteristics.

Developing

2 Points

Shows basic skills in data collection and analysis, with some accurate but incomplete interpretations and conclusions.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with data collection and analysis, providing minimal interpretation and inaccurate conclusions regarding planetary characteristics.

Category 2

Artistic and Creative Expression

Assessment of creativity and artistic skills in visualizing and presenting a designed planet.

Criterion 1

Planetary Design Creativity

Creativity and originality in the conceptualization and presentation of a planet's characteristics and environment.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity, producing uniquely imaginative and original planetary designs that effectively integrate scientific principles in an innovative manner.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows clear creativity and originality in designing a planet with effective integration of scientific principles, though minor opportunities for additional originality exist.

Developing

2 Points

Exhibits some creativity in planetary design with limited originality and partial integration of scientific principles.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows minimal creativity, lacking originality and struggling to integrate scientific principles in planetary design.

Category 3

Communication and Presentation

Evaluating clarity and effectiveness in presenting scientific and artistic findings.

Criterion 1

Clarity and Coherence of Presentation

Clarity, structure, and coherence in writing and presenting ideas related to the planet design and its scientific basis.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents ideas with exceptional clarity and coherence, using well-structured arguments and detailed explanations that brilliantly convey scientific and artistic concepts.

Proficient

3 Points

Exhibits clear and coherent presentation of ideas with structured arguments that effectively convey the relationship between scientific principles and artistic design.

Developing

2 Points

Shows basic coherence in presentation, with some structure in arguments but lacking detailed explanations or full clarity.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with clarity and coherence in presentation, with unstructured arguments and lack of detail in explaining concepts.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on your experience designing a planet that could support life. What was the most challenging aspect, and how did you overcome it?

Text

Optional

Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how well do you think your planet met the criteria for supporting life, considering rotation, position, and celestial interactions?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which learning goal do you feel you improved the most in during this project: understanding celestial movements, designing a scientific planet, or integrating art and science?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Understanding celestial movements

Designing a scientific planet

Integrating art and science

Question 4

How did the integration of art and science enhance your understanding of planetary design and celestial phenomena? Provide examples from your project.

Text

Optional

Question 5

Reflect on the entry event 'Astronaut's Rescue Mission Simulation'. How did it influence your approach to designing your planet?

Text

Optional