The Evolution of a Planetary System Grades 5 - 6
1. Welcome Aboard! The Mission Begins at the SETI Academy
2. Our Solar System: Eight Planets Circle One Sun
NSES Grade 5 - 8 Earth and Space Science: The Earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the Moon, the sun, and seven other planets and their moons, and smaller objects, such as asteroids and comets. The sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the system.
3. Formation of Planetary Systems: Do All Stars Have Planets?
AAAS BSL Grades 6 - 8 4B: We live on a relatively small planet. The third from the sun in the only system of planets know to exist (although other, similar systems may be discovered in the universe). (Since the AAAS BSL were published, over 350 extra-solar planets have been discovered. A few planetary systems have also been discovered, though none to date, are similar to our solar system. NASA's Kepler Mission is searching for Earth sized planets in the habitable zone of other stars).
4. Types of Stars: Is Our Sun Unique?
AAAS BSL Grades 6 - 8, 4A: The sun is a medium-sized star located near the edge of a disk-shaped galaxy of stars, part of which can be seen as a glowing band of light that spans the sky on very clear night.
5. Habitable Zones of Other Stars: Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold, Just Right
NSES Grades Grades 5 - 8 Earth Science: The sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on the Earth;s surface, such as the growth of plants, winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle.
6. Building a Model Planetary System: Creating System: Creating Your Own "Solar" System
NSES Grades 5- 8 Inquiry: Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
7. Searching for Habitable Planets: Which of Your Planets Could Support Life?
AAAS BSL Grades 6 - 8, 4A: The sun is a medium-sized star located near the edge of a disk-shaped galaxy of stars, part of which can be seen as a glowing band of light that spans the sky on very clear night.
8. Evolving Planet X: Your Planet Begins Its Childhood
NSES Grades Grades 5 - 8 Earth Science: The Earth process we see today, including erosion, movement of lithospheric plates, and changes in atmospheric composition, are similar to those that occurred in the past. Earth history is also influenced by the occasional catastrophes, such as the impact of an asteroid or comet.
9. 200 Million Years Ago: What Happened Way Back When?
NSES Grades Grades 5 - 8 Earth Science: The Earth process we see today, including erosion, movement of lithospheric plates, and changes in atmospheric composition, are similar to those that occurred in the past. Earth history is also influenced by the occasional catastrophes, such as the impact of an asteroid or comet.
NSES Grades Grades 5 - 8 Earth Science: Fossils provide important evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed.
10. Drifting Continents: How Did the Continents Move?
NSES Grades Grades 5 - 8 Earth Science: Lithospheric plates on the scales of continents and oceans constantly move at rates of centimeters per year in response to movements in the mantle.
11. Changes on Planet Earth: So Much for a "Solid Earth"!
NSES Grades Grades 5 - 8 Earth Science: Some changes in the solid Earth can be described as the "rock cycle." Old rocks at the Earth's surface weather, forming sediments that are buried, then compacted, heated, and often recrystallized into new rock. Eventually, those new rocks may be brought to the surface by the forces that drive plate motions, and the rock cycle continues.
12. Climate Zones: It's Raining in the Mountains
AAAS BSL Grades 6 - 8, 4B The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere plays an important role in the determining climate patterns, Water evaporates from the surface of the Earth, rises and cools, condenses into rain or snow, and falls again to the surface. The water falling on land collects in rivers and lakes, soil and porous layers of rock, and much of it flows back into the ocean.
13. Creating a Map of Planet X: A Travel's Guide to Your World
NSES Grades 5- 8 Inquiry: Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
14. Mission Completed! What Have You Done?
NSES Grades 5- 8 Inquiry: Think critically and logically to make the relationship between evidence and explanations.
