Introduction

Following the year 2000 LEAP exam, some students were chosen to travel in a student-directed space flight. President Clinton has chosen you and your classmates to use your knowledge of the solar system to research the other planets. Until now, no other planet has been explored.  Children around the world are counting on you to make learning about the solar system more fun. You will be traveling through space in a 2000 model spaceship provided by NASA.  Wait...here's an urgent message from the Commander in Chief himself!  "Greetings, young astronauts.  Your presence in this mission is vital to our way of life.  Most of this quest is considered "Unexplained".  I cannot disclose to you the any information of the planets, as we have never explored them. I will tell you that through your research of the planets, you will change the way students learn about the solar system. It is your job to record your findings, create models or projects, as well as complete the provided activites to thoroughly research the nine planets. Have fun, young space troopers.  You will go down in history!"

Your group will research two of the nine planets to create fun projects to teach other students. 

You will complete  of the following activities to share and turn in to the President and his advisors. 

• A booklet of your findings created through Kids Works
• A model of the two planets 
• Notes taken during the SpaceQuest saved in Science Portfolio

Assign the following group jobs:
Timekeeper (makes sure everything is turned in on time).
Secretary (neatly records all information that will be used in the booklet).
Technology Experts (2 people will be in charge of all computer advice needed). 

Step 2:Visit the Arty the Astronaut site.  Using only the two planets that your group is researching, record information that you should include in the President's booklet. Be sure all information is spelled correctly. All astronauts should be on individual duty completing their assigned jobs, however each person should record his/her own information.  Turn that in to the secretary.

Step 3:Visit the "Your age and weight "game, record how much you would weigh in each of your two planets. Please record your own data and turn it in to the secretary!  Timekeepers, only 15 minutes are allowed for this activity.

Step 4: Go to "Are We There Yet?" Choose a shuttle to find your date of arrival in each of the two planets.  How old will you be in that year?  How many miles will you travel to each planet?  This will let the  President and NASA know when to expect you to return. Timekeepers, this activity is only 15 minutes long!  Astronauts, record your own findings and turn in to the secretary.

Step 5: Visit "Test Your Knowledge".  You may not have learned all of the information, but through the questions you will learn more about the solar system. Record one question that you think will stump NASA and its scientists.  All astronauts are on individual duty for this activity.

Step 6:Use Kids Work software to publish findings that were recorded throughout your SpaceQuest.  This will be copied and turned into a Science book.  Please have fellow astronauts proofread your rough pages. Then, create your final draft in Kids Work.

Step 7:Using various materials, create a realistic model of the planets that you visited.  You may work with one astronaut in your group. However, this must be done at home. If you work with a partner, each person should create one model.
 
 
 

During your SpaceQuest, your research and observations should have provided enough information for you to create a new and improved Science text.  Also, models of the planet should be created to provide students with a hands-on experience.

Thanks to Danny Williams for his assistance during the creation of this SpaceQuest.
Images were provided by Calvin J. Hamilton.