2. AN OUT OF THIS WORLD EXPERIENCE ALIEN ADVENTURE

3. NASA Space Center needs information regarding the possibility of alternate living arrangements for inhabitants of Earth.(in case of nuclear war) Your mission is to create an alien life form to test the living conditions on another planet. Can humans adapt to living on another planet?

4. Decide whether to do this project alone or with a partner. Choose how you will present this project to the class. What do you already know about the planets? What do we need to know? Presentation Options: (Choose one) Video (using a Flip Camera) Book Tri-fold Brochure Poster Play Power Point

5. Pick A Planet

6. Gather information to record on your planning sheet.

7. Planet & Alien Activity Planning Sheet Our planet is: ________________________________ We chose this planet because ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Research of our planet: 1.Location in solar system ________________________________ 2.Distance from Sun: ___________________________________ 3.Size of planet: ______________________________________ 4.Atmosphere: ________________________________________ 5.Temperature: _______________________________________ 6.Number of Moons: ____________________________________ 7.Composition: _________________________________________ 8.Interesting Facts: ______________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Create your alien using recyclables or materials brought from home. Guiding Question: How does your alien adapt to its environment? (move, eat, defense, breathing, shelter, etc.) Now you are ready to:

8. Books: Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System Postcards From Pluto by Loreen Leedy Me and My Place in Space by Joan Sweeny Websites: //kids.nineplanets.org/ www.apples4theteacher.com/starwarp2.html www.kidsastronomy.com //solarsystem.nationalgeographic.com/science/space.html Microsoft Worldwide Telescope

9. TIC TAC TOE ACTIVITIES Now that you have a planet & an alien, choose 6 of the 9 following activities to go with your presentation.

10. Create a flag that represents your planet.

11. Create a map of your planet. Include a key, compass rose, appropriate color, labels, rivers, and mountains.

12. Create a diary entry for a day in the life of your alien.

13. Create a post card or brochure that would persuade others to visit your planet. Include a slogan.

14. Create the National Anthem for your planet.

15. Create a form of transportation for your planet.

16. Make a Venn diagram comparing your planet to Earth. http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdfvennl.pdf

17. Create a 3-D model of your planet.

18. Choose an occupation for your alien and write a job description.

19. After your mission is accomplished and all students have presented their project, we can vote whether or not NASA should fund the project or if they need to do further research.

20. Alien Adventure: Tic-Tac-Toe Rubric Team Names Total Points Earned O= 40 S= 39 - 30 N= 29 – 20 U= 19 - 0 Check off the Tic-Tac-Toe items presented in your product: 6 items = 20 points. 5 items = 15 points.  Flag  Map of planet  Post card/brochure  Transportation  Diary entry  Venn Diagram  National Anthem  3-D Model  Job description Category43 21 Quality of Project The product includes 6 or more choices. Each of the choices show exceptional thought and planning, and is of high quality and creative. The product includes 5 choices. Each of the choices show exceptional thought and planning, and is of high quality and creative. The product includes 4 choices. Each of the choices show some thought and planning, and is somewhat creative. The product includes 3 or less choices. Each of the choices show limited thought and planning, and is of low quality lacking creativity. Content Accurate facts are elaborated and recorded on activity planning sheet. The ideas are clear and purposeful. Accurate facts are presented and recorded on activity planning sheet. Not all ideas are complete. Basic facts are presented and recorded on the activity planning sheet. Some core information is left out. Some basic facts are missing from activity planning sheet. Usually containing just 1 sentence. Attractiveness The product is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. This product shows one’s best work plus a little bit more. The product is attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. The product shows good work. The product is marginally acceptable. The ideas of design, layout, and neatness were not put to practice. Hurriedly put together. The product is distracting, messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. Language Mechanics Capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar are correct throughout the product. There are no more than two errors throughout the product There are no more than five errors throughout the product. There are greater than five errors throughout the product. Graphics-Relevance All the graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand. There is evidence that the correct tools were used to complete the task (compass, ruler, computer, protractor, colored pencils, markers, etc.) All the graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. There is evidence that the correct tools were used to complete the task (compass, ruler, computer, protractor, colored pencils, markers, etc.) Some of the graphics are related to the topic and most make it easier to understand. There is little evidence that the correct tools were used to complete the task (compass, ruler, computer, protractor, colored pencils, markers, etc.) The graphics do not meet the basic construction or presentation requirements. There is little evidence that the correct tools were used to complete the task (compass, ruler, computer, protractor, colored pencils, markers, etc.)

21. NCSCOS- possible alignments Science — Grade 3 Goal 3 The learner will make observations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of the earth/moon/sun system Science — Grade 4 Goal 1 The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation. Science — Grade 5 Goal 2 The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of landforms. Goal 3 The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of weather and climate. Language Arts — Grade 3 English Language Arts — Grade 4 English Language Arts — Grade 5 Goal 3 The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.