This Web Quest is dedicated to the Earth and Science strand of the grade six science curriculum. This strand can be located in the Science and Technology curriculum document (1998) on

pages 99-100.

IntroductionYou have been chosen by NASA to go on a space odyssey, and you will have an opportunity to do some research for them while you are in space! Would you like to find out

how hot the planet Mercury is? Do you know where to find Orion’s Belt? Is the moon’s surface smooth? Well, NASA

wants you to find out! On this odyssey you are going to have the opportunity to learn about the Solar System. Your mission, should you succeed, will provide you with all of

the information you need to answer NASA’s pressing questions. We are about to take off so fasten your seatbelts

and hold on…

Presented by Pamela Atchison

5… 4… 3… 2… 1…

Background Info

We know that our Solar System has nine planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and

Pluto. We will learn about some of these planets in more detail.

Our Solar System also has comets, asteroids, stars such as the Sun, and the Milky Way.

The pollution we have created here on Earth has damaged our Ozone Layer. Without the protection of the Ozone

Layer, we get sick a lot easier.

The Ozone Layer is a thin shield that

protects all living things on Earth from

the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

The Constellations were given names in ancient times. The Constellations also

have their own stories. These stories are also

known as myths.

                                                                  

                            

 

           

  

                      

        

             

                

                                                                 

Solar System Diagram

The TaskAt the end of this odyssey you will have answered the following questions. By the time you have completed this work you should be familiar with different aspects of the Solar System such as the surface of the moon, and the atmospheric characteristics of the Earth, etc. You should be familiar with the myths regarding the constellations and be able to recognize constellations located in our night sky. You should have also learned about, and be familiar with, the Ozone Layer and the rules of sun safety.

1. Describe, in as much detail as possible, the physical components of the Earth, the Sun, Saturn, and Mercury (the diameter, min. and max. surface temperatures, atmospheric components, and the highest point on the surface, etc., if available).

2. Name 6 of the constellations and briefly explain 3 of them.

3. Choose one of the constellations and explain the myth associated with it in as much detail as possible.

4. Name four types of stars. In your own words, explain five things about 2 different types of stars.

5. How many stars are visible to the naked eye?

6. List 6 facts about the moon. Which fact is the most interesting to you? Why?

7. Why should we be cautious when going out into the sun? List and explain some of the safety rules you should follow when you are going out into the sun.

Resources

Characteristics of the Solar System The Constellations Myths of the Constellations

Stars Twinkle, twinkle little star... All About the Moon

Moon Facts

Fun in the Sun...and Safety Too!

These are the resources you are permitted to use to complete your task. You only have to click once on them to access the desired

website. Take your time to find the information that will best answer the questions you have been given.

Question 1

Question 4

Question 2 Question 3

Question 7

Question 6Question 5

Other Resources… Birth month Constellations (This link will help you with worksheet #2)

A Diagram of the Solar System All about the Solar SystemOzone Facts Ozone for Kids Windows to the Universe

The Process •You will need to choose a partner to work with for these activities, but both of you will have to hand in your own work for marking. You should choose someone you work well with.

• There are three worksheets that you will need to complete as well as the sheet of questions you have been provided with. Please write in full sentences and print neatly.

• You will have until Friday to complete this assignment so that gives you five periods to complete and hand in all of your work.

• Do not copy information word for word from the Internet. I expect you to use your paraphrasing skills that we have been working on in Language Arts.

• Use only the resources I have given you to find your information.

•Put your name on all of your work.

•If you finish early, I have given you websites where you can do activities related to this project.

Grade 6: Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1

Work Habits/Use of Class Time

Student worked quietly, and used class time well.

25 24 23 22 21

Student worked quietly and almost always used class time well.

20 19 18 17 16

Student worked somewhat quietly and sometimes used class time well.

15 14 13 12 11

Student rarely worked quietly and rarely used class time well.

10 9 8 7 6

Student did not work quietly and did not use class time well.

5 4 3 2 1

Uses and Demonstrates Knowledge of

Terms

The student uses appropriate vocabulary, including correct science terms, in describing his/her research with clear understanding.

25 24 23 22 21

The student uses appropriate vocabulary, including correct science terms, in describing his/her research with understanding.

20 19 18 17 16

The student uses appropriate vocabulary, including correct science terms, in describing his/her research with some understanding.

15 14 13 12 11

The student uses appropriate vocabulary, including correct science terms, in describing his/her research with limited understanding.

10 9 8 7 6

The student does not use appropriate vocabulary in describing his/her research and had no understanding of material.

5 4 3 2 1

Demonstrates Knowledge and

Understanding of Material

Researched

The student describes the physical characteristics of the components of the solar system with virtually no errors.

25 24 23 22 21

The student describes the physical characteristics of the components of the solar system with few errors.

20 19 18 17 16

The student describes the physical characteristics of the components of the solar system with several minor errors.

15 14 13 12 11

The student describes the physical characteristics of the components of the solar system with several major errors.

10 9 8 7 6

The student is unable to describe the physical characteristics of the components of the solar system.

5 4 3 2 1

The Quality and Accuracy of

Research Presented

The student paraphrases and summarizes the information researched demonstrating an understanding of the topic Information is relevant to the topic.

25 24 23 22 21

The student paraphrases and summarizes the information researched demonstrating a good understanding of the topic. Information is mostly relevant to the topic.

20 19 18 17 16

The student paraphrases and summarizes the information researched demonstrating somewhat of an understanding of the topic. Information somewhat relevant to the topic.

15 14 13 12 11

The student does not paraphrase information, rather, the student copies and pastes information from other sources. Information has mostly no relevance to the topic.

10 9 8 7 6

The student does not provide relevant information to the given topic. Information has no relevance to the topic.

5 4 3 2 1

Space Odyssey Rubric/Evaluation

Name: _________________ Date: _____________

This project will be out of 100 marks and it will be worth 15% of your final mark in Science and Technology.

ConclusionWelcome back Earth!!! You have successfully

completed this mission if you have:

– answered the questions on the sheet I have provided for you in full sentences.

– completed all three worksheets in a detailed, organized, and legible manner.

– handed in your completed work to me with your name on every page.

I hope you had fun on your mission. With all of the information you have gathered, you can now consider

yourself a Solar System Expert!!!

Fun and Games

When you have completed all of your work, click here for …

Remember to have fun, but be safe!

Solar System Simulator

Sun Safety Games and Activities

Windows to the Universe: Fun and Games

Name: _________________ Date: ______________

Instructions: Use a separate sheet of lined paper to write down your answers to these questions. Make sure to number your answers according to the number of the question on this sheet. Print your answers neatly, and answer the questions in full sentences. Remember to write your name on your work. Use appropriate units of measure where required.

1. Describe, in as much detail as possible, the physical components of the Earth, the Sun, Saturn, and Mercury (the diameter, min. and max.surface temperatures, atmospheric components, and the highest point on the surface, etc., if available).Earth –

Sun –

Saturn –

Mercury –  2. Name 6 of the constellations and briefly explain 3 of them. 3. Choose one of the constellations and explain the myth associated with it in as much detail as possible. 4. Name four types of stars. In your own words, explain five things about 2 different types of stars.  5. How many stars are visible to the naked eye?  6. List 6 facts about the moon. Which fact is the most interesting to you? Why? 7. Why should we be cautious when going out into the sun? List and explain some of the safety rules you should follow when you are going out into the sun. 

Odyssey Question Sheet

Worksheet #1 – Multiple Choice

Student’s Name ____________________ Date: _______________

For each of the following questions, circle the letter that represents the most correct answer.

1. The moon’s surface is/has: 6. Mercury’s diameter in kilometers is: a) Craters a) 7884 kmb) Smooth b) 4787 km c) Flat c) 8748 kmd) Very Hot d) 4878 km

2. This causes many of the tides in the Earth’s oceans : 7. The Sun’s maximum surface temperature is: a) Mars a) 4700 K b) Jupiter b) 7500 K c) Sun c) 5700 K d) Moon d) 7400 K

3. This larger constellation in our sky is known as 8. Saturn has ________ atmospheric components: “The Twins”:

a) Orion a) 1 b) Gemini b) 2 c) Andromeda c) 3 d) The Big Dipper d) 4

4. This constellation resembles a dog: 9. What is the highest point on the Earth’s surface?

a) Cygnus a) The CN Tower b) Gemini b) Mount Everest c) The Big Dipper c) The Egyptian Pyramidsd) Canis Major d) The Empire State

Building

5. There are _______ stars visible to the naked eye: 10. The Earth has ________ atmospheric components

a) 2,000 a) 3 b) 4,000 b) 4 c) 6,000 c) 1d) 8,000 d) 2

Worksheet #2 – The Constellations

For this worksheet you are required to use one of the specified links to locate your birth month. Once you have located it, you are to draw and label 4 of the constellations within that month. Make sure to provide a lot of detail in your drawing and be sure to do a rough draft first. Take your time to do a neat and organized job especially when you work on your final copy. Your rough draft and final copy are to be handed in to me when they are complete.

Student’s Name: ____________ Date: __________

Worksheet #3Fun in the Sun and Safety!

Draw a detailed and colourful picture that demonstrates someone or a group of people following all of the sun safety rules! This picture will also count towards your art mark so take your time to do a job well done.

Student’s Name: ____________ Date: __________