In this lesson, students will work in pairs to research Earth and another celestial body in our universe. They will compare and contrast their chosen bodies to deepen their understanding of Earth’s composition, structure, and unique characteristics. Students will create a presentation to share their findings with the class. As an extension activity, they have the opportunity to design and build a physical model representing their celestial comparisons. All required materials and extension activity details are provided in the downloadable PDF.
Possible Time Needed to Complete:
The duration of this lesson will vary based on the activities selected and the depth of research chosen by the instructor. Time allocation is flexible and can be adjusted to fit classroom needs.
Grade Levels:
6-11
NGSS Standards for High School:
- HS-ESS1-4: Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.
- HS-ESS1-6: Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth's formation and early history.
- HS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to illustrate how Earth's internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.
- HS-ESS2-3: Develop a model based on evidence of Earth's interior to describe the cycling of matter by thermal convection.
- HS-ESS3-2: Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
NGSS Standards for Middle School:
- MS-ESS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within galaxies and the solar system.
- MS-ESS1-3: Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
- MS-ESS1-4: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old history.
- MS-ESS2-1: Develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
- MS-ESS3-1: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth's mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.
Critical Technology Connections:
- Artificial Intelligence: The core research project requires students to gather, analyze, and interpret planetary data, reflecting how AI processes and accelerates scientific discovery in space exploration. Additionally, the extension lesson’s hands-on modeling activity parallels AI-driven simulations that visualize planetary interiors and dynamics.
- Future Computing Technologies: Both the research project and the model-building extension rely on computational tools and data analysis, highlighting the vital role of advanced computing in simulating and understanding complex planetary features and processes.
- Advanced Manufacturing: The hands-on model building connects to advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing and robotics, which are essential for producing hardware used in space missions as well as educational models.