Introduction

Students should be able to get a good understanding of the basic concepts of space that will be discussed including: planets, constellations, the sun, the moon, and the Milky Way Galaxy.

Our solar system is part of the Milky Way Galaxy and our solar system has nine planets. The sun, the largest object and the central object of our solar system, is a star. Stars are surrounding us in space and some are even arranged in a way that they look like pictures or different characters called constellations.

While we know much about our solar system, there is much that is still a mystery. Make a list of 10 things that you want to 'discover' about our solar system while following this webquest!

The Quest

Why is it important for us to know about our solar system? Why does the solar system interest you?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about Science. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer some basic questions. Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline or highlight the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important and paste them into a writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Planets

Use the website below to answer these questions specifically related to Planets:

1. What is the order of the planets, starting with the sun? Which number is earth?
2. Which planet is the largest? The smallest?
3. What is an intersting fact you leared about one of the planets?

http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/ceps/etp/ss/

Stars and Constellations

Use the website below to answer these questions specifically related to Constellations:

1. What star (besides the sun) is the brightest? The closest?
2. Where did constellations come from?
3. Name 5 constellations and describe their shapes.

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/ dolan/constellations/

Milky Way Galaxy

Use the website below to answer these questions specifically related to Milky Way Galaxy:

1. Describe the three general components of the Milky Way.
2. Where is the earth in the Milky Way Galaxy?

http://cassfos02.ucsd.edu/public/tutorial/MW.html

The Moon

Use the website below to answer these questions specifically related to The Sun and The Moon:

1. What are the four phases of the moon?
2. What is a solar eclipse?
3. Which planet has the biggest moons?
4. Under cyclopedia, take a lunar tour of the moon and describe what you learned and saw.

http://www.inconstantmoon.com/inconstant.htm

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of Science. Now all group members come back to the large WebQuest team with lots of 'space knoweledge' gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion). Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. It is now time to give me a little feedback on what you thought of this WebQuest.

1. What are the possibilities for learning by using WebQuest. Is it interesting? Informative?
2. How do WebQuests compare with normal lesson plans?

Your Contact is: the designated contact

Conclusion

You have now all explored a little piece of space. You have exlpored and found interesting information about the sun, the moon, the stars, and the planets. Now you all know a lot more. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! How can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other parts of Science could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.