Date: January 31, 1998

Subject(s):

• Mathematics/Measurement

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students use computers and other electronic technology to gather, organize, manipulate, and express information and ideas.

2. Students demonstrate understanding of number concepts.

3. Students demonstrate understanding of concepts related to space and
dimensionality.

4. Students demonstrate understanding of measurement concepts.

OVERVIEW:

Students will use the Internet to find data on two planets. The data retrieved will include each planets' diameter, distances from the sun and earth, length of day and year, range of temperatures, and number of satellites. After they retrieve this information they will compare and contrast the data in order to make conclusions about the planets' size.

Measurement is something that every body is familiar with because measurements are used most every day.  It is important to be able to calculate measurements so that we can build, calculate the amount of time we may need to do something, and so we can have a general idea as to "how big" something is. It is also important to be able to convert units of measurement so that we can communicate more efficiently with each other.  Since different countries use different forms of measurement people understand measurement in different ways. For example, in Canada distance is measured in kilometers and in the U.S.A. distance is measured in miles. This lesson integrates real data by using statistical information obtained from a fascinating site in order for students to compare and contrast the size of the planets and to calculate how long it will take to reach a planet from earth.

LEARNER OUTCOMES:

After this lesson students will...

• Differentiate between 2 planets.
• Convert from miles to yards.
• Use the diameter to make conclusions.
• Calculate how long it will take to travel a certain distance when given the speed of travel and the distance travelled.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• computers with access to the Internet
• handout
• pencil

Students will...

1. go to the site, http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ "Windows to the Universe"
2. click on the hyperlink entitled, "Enter the Site"
3. click on the icon entitled, "Our Solar System" (located in the upper right hand corner)
4. scroll down to the very bottom of the page. There students will see pictures of each planet.
5. click on the planet that they would like to obtain statistical information on.
6. click on the hyperlink "Planetary Facts" to see the information
7. write down all information needed on handout.
8. compute all necessary information required on the handout.

EXTENSIONS:

Make time so students can browse around the site, after doing so have them send comments to the site editor. The hyperlink "comments" can be found beneath the planet icons used to retrieve the statistical information.

ASSESSMENT:

To assess if students....

Differentiate between 2 planets.

Handout
Accuracy of questions #2-#6 and #8

Convert from miles to yards.

Handout
Work shown and accuracy of result from question #1

Use the diameter to make conclusions.

Handout
Response to question #2

Calculate how long it will take to travel a certain distance when given the speed of travel and the distance travelled..

Handout
Work shown and accuracy of question #7

HANDOUT-PLANET MEASUREMENTS
PAGE 1 OF 2
 

CHOOSE 2 PLANETS AND WRITE DOWN THIS INFORMATION ABOUT EACH ....

WRITE DOWN ALL APPROPRIATE MEASUREMENTS IN BOTH
KILOMETERS AND MILES
 

PLANET #1   PLANET #2
NAME OF PLANET
DIAMETER
MINIMUM
DISTANCE FR. SUN
MAXIMUM
DISTANCE FR. SUN
MINIMUM
DISTANCE FR. EARTH
LENGTH OF DAY
LENGTH OF YEAR
TEMPERATURE
SATELITES
 

PAGE 2 OF 2

GIVE ALL ANSWERS IN BOTH
KILOMETERS AND MILES

SHOW YOUR WORK!!!!
 

1.  What is the diameter of each planet in yards?

2.  Which planet is bigger? How can you tell?

3.  Which planet is closer to the sun? How much closer is it?

4.  Which planet has a shorter year? How much shorter is it? Can you guess why that planet has a shorter year?

5.  Which planet has a longer day? How much longer is it? Can you guess why that planet has a longer day?

6.  If you wanted to go to one of your planets from earth, how long would it take you?

7.  The space shuttle must reach a speed of 25,000 mph in order to escape the gravitational field. If it were to maintain this speed how long would it take to travel from earth to each of your planets?

Planet #1:

Planet #2: