A spaceship is going to pick up a group from each of three planets to come and visit Earth for one year - all expenses paid. The winners will be those aliens who best represent their home planet. Each group will get one vote to decide who will make the trip. Oh, by the way, the winners will receive $1 million in spending money. The only catch is that you must visit the eighth graders at Heard Middle School and teach them about your planet.

You will explore your planet by the following: What do you find most interesting about your planet? List some physical characteristics about your planet. How many moons does your planet have? What do these moons look like? How does the weight on your planet differ from your weight on earth? Where is your planet located in the solar system?

I know you aliens are really smart so some of your information will come straight from your antennas. Here are a few useful sites you may want to use. The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar SystemThe Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System Planets in the Solar System The Solar System The Galaxy Page

4 page summary of your findings 5 or more pictures of your planet and its moons Make a model of your planet Calculate all group members weight on your planet You are to write a paper explaining why your team’s planet should be chosen. Your presentation will be presented before a panel of judges made up of fellow aliens. The best presentations will make the trip. Include the following:

Astronaut Turn in 4 page summary of findings 5 pictures of planets or its moons 5 specific facts about planet Model correctly identified by 3 groups All mathematical weight calculations correct

Astronaut's Assistant Turn in 3 page page summary of findings 4 pictures of planet or its moon 4 specific facts about the planet Most group members participate Model correctly identified by 2 groups 2 mathematical weight calculations are correct

Astronaut’s Apprentice Turn in a 2 page summary of findings 2 or 3 pictures of planet or its moon 3 specific facts about the planet Only one group member participates in group report Model correctly identified by 1 group 1 mathematical weight calculation is correct

Earth Bound Turn in 1 page summary of findings 1 picture of planet or its moons 2 specific facts about the planet No group members participated in presentation Model could not be identified No mathematical weight calculations correct

CONGRATULATIONS!! You now have a better understanding of at least one planet!! Source Credits: All graphics compliments of