THE SOLAR SYSTEM 

Assignment One:  The Solar System

Imagine you are an astronaut traveling across the solar system in search of an appropriate planet to establish a colony.  Prepare a journal of an astronaut passing by all of the planets, which includes a description of each planet as well as criteria used to make a comparison of the different planets and the selection of the chosen planet.  The journal should also include descriptions and explanations of other objects discovered on the journey, such as meteoroids, asteroids, and comets.  Finally, select a piece of music that you would listen to on the spacecraft that would reflect the theme of space travel and exploration.

Assignment Two:  Who Owns the Solar System?

Imagine what minerals and other resources might be available and are available in the solar system.  Investigate what laws and treaties currently exist regarding outer space and whose domain outer space is.  Taking into account current environmental and territorial issues, develop a code of law for the colony based on present laws and treaties that would protect the environment and resources of the colonized planet and prevent territorial and border disputes. 

Assignment Three:  Distances in Space

Based on textbook readings, calculate distances and travel times from Earth to the other planets in the solar system based on current spacecraft capabilities. Then develop a model of the solar system to demonstrate routes of travel and the accuracy of their calculations and determine which planet would be the best location for a colony based on distance.

Assignment Four:  Big Bang

Explore several different myths about the origins of the universe and the big bang theory.  Write a reflection on how the myths are similar in structure and content, discussing what questions each answered as well as what questions they did not answer.  Other themes that could also be considered are whether a myth suggests that there is a likelihood of other life in space or whether it encourages or discourage space travel.  As an assignment, present the big bang theory as a myth or legend, with illustrations, incorporating the structure of the myths that were studied and responding to similar questions.

Assignment Five:  Humans in Space

Based on a study of humans in space and previous expeditions in space, design a colony structure (and determine the best place for the colony) that could support human life.  Consider the features needed to sustain humans in space for long periods of time, possibly years (e.g. if we go to Mars in the future, we will have to travel over several years).  The colony design should incorporate features from current space technology that allow humans to live in outer space and for spaceships to fly. 

Assignment Six:  Presentation

You will be asked to present your proposal (including the colony design and the chosen location of the colony), pretending that you are a consultant for Canada’s Space Agency. 

Final Product

Each student will hand in a portfolio containing:

• The journal assignment
• A cassette or CD of the selected piece of music and an explanation for why that piece was chosen (half a page)
• A copy of the colony’s code of law
• A model of the solar system (if the model is too large, then the model should be brought in) plus the calculations used to determine the distance of each planet from Earth and the projected flight times
• Illustrated big bang theory written as a myth or legend
• An accurate, to scale, labeled blueprint of colony structure with an explanation of the design chosen and the materials used
• A one page proposal explaining which planet was selected for colonization and why

 ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC

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