The Aliens Have Landed!

 

The Aliens have landed! They are saying (as they always do) "Take us to your leader!" and guess what? You are our leader. You have been appointed by the United Nations to be the Ambassador (spokesperson and representative) for Planet Earth. The future of our planet is in your hands.

The aliens want to colonize here and bring their billions of friends and family from the outer reaches of the solar system. There are so many of them, they would quickly take over and displace all of the humans who are already here. Your job is to convince them that the earth's moon would be a much nicer place for them to settle.

Here are some facts about the aliens that may help you make a convincing argument for them to move to our moon instead of making their home here:

- - - - - - - - - - - -

First you'll find out some facts about our moon so your argument will be convincing. Facts and figures show that you have done your research and you know what you're talking about.

Then, you will give an oral presentation (a speech) to the aliens. Fortunately, you will have an opportunity to practice your talk to your friends in Room 2 first. You will receive feedback to your classmates, and give comments to others, using a "grading rubric" to let each other know if you have made a convincing argument which will be successful in persuading the aliens to move to the moon.

You may do your internet research with a partner, but each person will play the part of Ambassador for Planet Earth.

 

 

 

Research Questions

Use this website to find the answers to these questions:

click here: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/moon/Phases.shtml

How far away from earth is the moon?

 

How long does it take for the moon to orbit around the earth?

 

How large is the moon? Please find the diameter, which is the distance measured across the middle.

 

What is the temperature range on the moon?

 

Why do we see only one side of the moon from the earth?

 

Who were the first people to walk on the moon and when did they do it?

 

Does the moon have an atmosphere?

 

How does gravity on the moon compare to the earth?

 

Find three more interesting facts about the moon.

  1. ______


  2. ______


  3. ______

 

 

 

If you finish early:

Take an interactive moon quiz:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/activities/radiobuttonquiz/Moonpz.shtml

Take an interactive quiz about our solar system!

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/activities/radiobuttonquiz/Sspz.shtml

Move the Moon in the "Phaser" and watch it go through its paces as you drag it around the Earth with your computer's mouse:

http://kids1.nis.nasa.gov/Sites/ExternSite.asp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Espaceday%2Ecom%2Fen%2Fmission%2Fphaser%2Findex%2Ephp

Look at the current phase of the moon:

http://kids.msfc.nasa.gov/Earth/Moon/Moon.asp

Check out the "Earth and Moon Viewer"

http://www.fourmilab.ch/earthview/vplanet.html

Learn about the "Lunar Prospector" mission to the moon:

http://kids1.nis.nasa.gov/Sites/ExternSite.asp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fobserve%2Earc%2Enasa%2Egov%2Fnasa%2Fspace%2Fprospector%2Flunar1%2Ehtml

NASA's Internet/Computer Space Coloring Book

http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/fun/coloring_book/coloring_book.html

 

Simplify and copy this diagram which shows the phases of the moon. You may use white or light colored paper instead.

Include in your drawing:
  1. Position of the sun and earth relative to the moon
  2. The eight phases of the moon
  3. Label each phase of the moon
  4. Depict the phases in the correct sequence