Exoplanet Brochure Project
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.If you were tasked with designing a habitable exoplanet, what key characteristics and considerations would be essential to include, and how would you convince potential inhabitants that it's worth the journey?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How does the distance of an exoplanet from its star affect its temperature and potential for liquid water?
- What are the key characteristics of a planet that could support life as we know it (e.g., atmosphere, composition, magnetic field)?
- How do scientists detect and study exoplanets?
- How do different elements and compounds affect a planet's color and overall appearance?
- What are the different methods of traveling to exoplanets?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to describe the key characteristics of an exoplanet that could support life.
- Students will be able to explain how the distance of an exoplanet from its star affects its temperature and potential for liquid water.
- Students will be able to design a brochure to convince potential inhabitants that their exoplanet is worth the journey.
- Students will be able to discuss the methods scientists use to detect and study exoplanets.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsExoplanet Innovation Challenge
Frame the project as an 'Exoplanet Innovation Challenge' where students compete to design the most compelling and habitable exoplanet. The winning design, judged by criteria mirroring real-world scientific considerations, will be featured in a 'future space tourism' brochure, fostering competitive engagement.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Exoplanet Explorer: Research Expedition
Students will begin by researching different exoplanets and the factors that make a planet habitable. They will explore concepts such as the habitable zone, atmospheric composition, and planetary size. This research will lay the groundwork for their own exoplanet design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed research journal containing notes on at least three different exoplanets and answers to the guiding questions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals: 'Students will be able to describe the key characteristics of an exoplanet that could support life,' and 'Students will be able to discuss the methods scientists use to detect and study exoplanets.'Planet Designer: Blueprinting Habitable Worlds
Using the knowledge gained from their research, students will begin designing their own exoplanet. They will make decisions about its size, distance from its star, atmospheric composition, and other key characteristics. Students will create a blueprint of their exoplanet, labeling all important features.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint of their designed exoplanet, including justifications for each design choice based on research.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals: 'Students will be able to describe the key characteristics of an exoplanet that could support life,' and 'Students will be able to explain how the distance of an exoplanet from its star affects its temperature and potential for liquid water.'Exoplanet Brochure: A Traveler's Guide
Students will create a brochure to promote their exoplanet as a desirable destination for potential inhabitants. The brochure should highlight the planet's unique features, its potential for supporting life, and any other aspects that would make it an attractive destination.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visually appealing and informative brochure designed to promote their exoplanet as a desirable destination.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: 'Students will be able to design a brochure to convince potential inhabitants that their exoplanet is worth the journey.'Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioExoplanet Design & Brochure Rubric
Exoplanet Research & Understanding
Demonstrates understanding of exoplanet characteristics, habitability factors, and scientific research methods.Exoplanet Characteristics
Accurately describes and explains the key characteristics of exoplanets, including size, distance from star, atmosphere, and potential for liquid water.
Exemplary
100 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of exoplanet characteristics and their impact on habitability, providing detailed and accurate descriptions.
Proficient
75 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of exoplanet characteristics and their impact on habitability, providing accurate descriptions.
Developing
50 PointsShows an emerging understanding of exoplanet characteristics, but descriptions may lack detail or accuracy.
Beginning
25 PointsShows a limited understanding of exoplanet characteristics and struggles to describe them accurately.
Habitability Factors
Explains the factors that make a planet habitable, including the habitable zone, atmospheric composition, and planetary size.
Exemplary
100 PointsProvides a comprehensive and nuanced explanation of habitability factors, demonstrating a deep understanding of their interrelationships.
Proficient
75 PointsProvides a clear and accurate explanation of habitability factors, demonstrating a solid understanding of their importance.
Developing
50 PointsShows an emerging understanding of habitability factors, but explanations may be incomplete or lack clarity.
Beginning
25 PointsShows a limited understanding of habitability factors and struggles to explain their significance.
Research Quality
Effectively utilizes provided resources (NASA Exoplanet Archive, scientific articles) and answers guiding questions with accurate and relevant information.
Exemplary
100 PointsConducts thorough and insightful research, using a variety of resources to support claims and providing comprehensive answers to guiding questions.
Proficient
75 PointsConducts effective research, using provided resources to support claims and providing accurate answers to guiding questions.
Developing
50 PointsConducts basic research, but may not fully utilize available resources or provide complete answers to guiding questions.
Beginning
25 PointsStruggles to conduct effective research or answer guiding questions, demonstrating limited use of available resources.
Exoplanet Design & Blueprint
Effectively designs a habitable exoplanet and creates a detailed blueprint, justifying design choices based on research.Design Rationale
Provides clear and logical justifications for exoplanet design choices, based on scientific research and understanding of habitability factors.
Exemplary
100 PointsProvides compelling and insightful justifications for all design choices, demonstrating a deep understanding of the scientific principles involved.
Proficient
75 PointsProvides clear and logical justifications for design choices, based on scientific research and understanding of habitability factors.
Developing
50 PointsProvides some justification for design choices, but explanations may be incomplete or lack scientific basis.
Beginning
25 PointsStruggles to justify design choices or provides justifications that are not based on scientific research.
Blueprint Detail & Accuracy
Creates a detailed and accurate blueprint of the exoplanet, labeling all important features and providing clear explanations.
Exemplary
100 PointsCreates a meticulously detailed and accurate blueprint, demonstrating a strong attention to detail and a thorough understanding of exoplanet features.
Proficient
75 PointsCreates a detailed and accurate blueprint, labeling all important features and providing clear explanations.
Developing
50 PointsCreates a basic blueprint, but may lack detail or accuracy in labeling and explanations.
Beginning
25 PointsCreates an incomplete or inaccurate blueprint, with limited labeling and explanations.
Habitability Integration
Effectively integrates habitability factors into the exoplanet design, creating a planet that could potentially support life.
Exemplary
100 PointsDemonstrates an innovative and sophisticated integration of habitability factors, creating an exoplanet design that is highly conducive to life.
Proficient
75 PointsEffectively integrates habitability factors into the exoplanet design, creating a planet that could potentially support life.
Developing
50 PointsShows some consideration of habitability factors in the exoplanet design, but integration may be incomplete or inconsistent.
Beginning
25 PointsShows limited consideration of habitability factors in the exoplanet design.
Brochure Design & Persuasion
Creates a visually appealing and informative brochure that effectively promotes the exoplanet as a desirable destination.Visual Appeal
Designs a visually appealing brochure with appropriate images, layout, and overall aesthetic.
Exemplary
100 PointsCreates a visually stunning and highly engaging brochure that effectively captures the attention of potential inhabitants.
Proficient
75 PointsDesigns a visually appealing brochure with appropriate images, layout, and overall aesthetic.
Developing
50 PointsCreates a brochure with some visual appeal, but layout or image choices may be inconsistent or ineffective.
Beginning
25 PointsCreates a brochure with limited visual appeal and ineffective layout or image choices.
Informative Content
Includes accurate and relevant information about the exoplanet's key features, habitability, climate, and potential resources.
Exemplary
100 PointsProvides comprehensive and compelling information about the exoplanet, highlighting its unique features and potential benefits for inhabitants.
Proficient
75 PointsIncludes accurate and relevant information about the exoplanet's key features, habitability, climate, and potential resources.
Developing
50 PointsIncludes some information about the exoplanet, but may lack detail or relevance in certain areas.
Beginning
25 PointsIncludes limited or inaccurate information about the exoplanet.
Persuasive Language
Uses compelling and persuasive language to convince potential inhabitants that the exoplanet is a desirable destination.
Exemplary
100 PointsUses highly persuasive and engaging language to create a compelling vision of the exoplanet as an ideal destination for future inhabitants.
Proficient
75 PointsUses compelling and persuasive language to convince potential inhabitants that the exoplanet is a desirable destination.
Developing
50 PointsUses some persuasive language, but may lack consistency or effectiveness in conveying the exoplanet's appeal.
Beginning
25 PointsStruggles to use persuasive language or effectively convey the exoplanet's appeal.