Title: Astronomy Challenge -- Author(s): Terri Whitaker -- Grade Level: 6th -- Subject Matter: Astronomy/Science -- Synopsis: Allows students to learn important astronomy concepts understanding solar system.

This unit allows students to learn important astronomy concepts. Activities will lead students to understand our solar system. They will consider 1 of 4 challenges astronauts face to create a design solution to the challenge.

CONNECTIONS TO NYS LEARNING STANDARDS
List Standard # and Key Idea #: Write out related Performance Indicator(s) or Benchmark(s)

Standard #4 - Science - Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

Key Idea #1 - The Earth and celestial phenomena can be described by principles of relative motion and perspective.

Performance Indicator 1.1 - Students explain daily, monthly, and seasonal changes on earth.

Launch: Students watch an introductory Solar System laser disc - The Big Picture. They will answer questions on a worksheet that will be used to generate a discussion about the solar system. Students will then write questions they have about the solar system on chart paper to be answered later and posted on a solar system facts bulletin board.

LEARNING EXPERIENCES
In chronological order including acquisition experiences and extending/refining
experiences for all stated declarative and procedural knowledge.

Learn Mnemonic for planets - My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas or students make up their own.

Field Trip to the Planetarium at SUNY Potsdam for a presentation on the constellations.

Students use the internet to research solar system, decide which planet, asteroid, moon, etc they will develop as a tourist attraction. They will design advertising material as a brochure. The front cover will be illustrated in art class.

Using a spreadsheet, locate different stars in several constellations and mark them to create a "constellation map".

Students will consider 1 of 3 challenges astronauts face. Their task will be to create a design solution to the challenge. This can be accomplished by using the internet site webquest, other internet sites, the library and all information obtained during this unit. Students will have a choice to create a model, posters, or a power point presentation to present their design solution.

RUBRICS

Astronomy Travel Brochure
Research the solar system and decide which planet, moon, sun, etc. to develop as a tourist attraction.
Design and print a brochure using actual information about your chosen vacation spot and reasons why someone would want to visit. This will be fictional, but needs to be based on information about the vacation spot.

Science Rubric

Point Value Points

Facts – at least 6 40 ______

Pictures 10 ______

Front page 10 ______

Accurate information 20 ______

Neatness 10 ______

Appropriate layout 10 ______

TOTAL ______

Challenge Design Solution Rubrics

How well you have used the WebQuest

Competency	Distinctive + 3	Proficient + 2	Beginner +1	Incomplete +0
Ability to navigate the Internet using the WebQuest	Requires no teacher or peer assistance	Requires little teacher or peer assistance	Requires a great deal of teacher or peer assistance	Not able to navigate the WebQuest

What you have learned about living in Space

Competency			Distinctive +3		Proficient +2		Beginner +1		Incomplete +0
Recommend-ations for this mission			Recommend-ations fully supported; highly creative		Recommend-ations fully supported		Recommend-ations given little or no support		No recommendations given; no support
Quality and quantity of research recorded			6 ways of living presented; highly creative		4 or 5 ways of living presented; clear and effective with many details		3 ways of living presented; incomplete or ineffective with few details		0, 1, or 2 ways of living presented; incomplete or ineffective with few details
	Language Arts skills (grammar, spelling)	No more than 2 grammar or spelling errors		No more than 5 grammar or spelling errors		6-8 grammar or spelling errors		9 or more grammar or spelling errors

MODIFICATIONS

Extended time for students to complete work, provide notes to be copied.

UNIT SCHEDULE/TIME PLAN

6 weeks

TECHNOLOGY USE

Laser Disc Player - Solar System laser disc

Computer - Brochure capability, Spreadsheet program, Internet access, Solar System CD

VCR - Solar System Video by Sunburst

LU Title: Astronomy Challenge	Author(s): Terri Whitaker
Grade Level: 6	School : Gouverneur Middle School
Topic/Subject Area: Astronomy/Science	Address: 130 East Barney Street
Email: twhitake@gcs.neric.org	Phone/Fax: 315-287-1903

Declarative	Procedural
Know about the origin of the solar system.	Locate and identify constellations in the night sky.
The sun is an average star.	Create acronymic phrase to remember planet names and order of planets.
The universe contains many galaxies.	Organize and display collected data about the phases of the moon.
Information about the nine planets that move around the sun.	Research using the internet.
The phases of the moon.	Steps to create a computer generated brochure.
Gravity is an essential force in the solar system.	Create PowerPoint slide show.
Seasons result from the sun's energy hitting earth's surface.

Title III Technology Literacy Challenge Grant

Learning Unit

What you have learned about living in Space