The Assignment

Where Should the Aliens Colonize?

First, you will need to research each of the nine planets in the Solar System.  Once you have filled out the Fact Sheet for the planets, you will choose which style of final project you would like to do  

1.   All Planets Option - You may choose to advertise all nine planets, emphasizing why each would make a great destination and why Earth would not.  This advertisement will consist of at least 9 paragraphs (one for each of the nine planets), with visual elements, and a cover page/introduction to the solar system.

OR

2.   One Planet Option - You may choose to advertise one planet or other solar system feature as the best place for aliens to settle down.  This advertisement will have multiple paragraphs with an introduction and conclusion, visual elements, and a cover page.

Paragraphs

In addition to presenting an effective argument, your paragraphs must reflect knowledge of the planet or other solar system feature.

Each paragraph must have transitions connecting ideas to previous paragraphs and within paragraphs.

Each paragraph must start with an effective hook or transition to catch the aliens' attention.  Some ideas for paragraph starters are:

• Open with an unusual detail
• Open with a strong statement
• Open with a quotation
• Open with an anecdote
• Open with a statistic or fact
• Open with a question
• Open with an exaggeration/hyperbole

You may choose to advertise any of the following:

• Planets
• Moons
• Comets
• Asteroids and Meteoroids
• Kuiper Belt Objects

Visual Elements

The visual elements should include a picture of the place and a facts table with the following:

• Name
• Size
• Composition (both the planet and its atmosphere)
• General location in the Solar System
• Gravity
• Orbital Period (year)
• Temperature (high and low)
• Number of Moons

The presentation

You can create your final project in a format of your choice.  Some ideas:

• Real estate style pamphlet/advertisement  
• Slide show with or without Screencastify or other voice over technology.
• A traditional report with a page/section for each solar system advertisement.
• Use the green screen in the Maker Space to create a commercial with video and still image backgrounds of your planet.
• Other ideas?  Just ask!