1) Lindsay Annelin designed a project for her 5th grade science class to research topics in the solar system by putting students into groups and assigning each group a planet or topic to research. 2) Students used recommended websites to research their topics and recorded their findings on a Word document. They then created PowerPoint presentations following specific guidelines. 3) Students presented their PowerPoint presentations to the class, demonstrating what they had learned about their assigned topic in the solar system.

1. Wicked Problem
Implementation
Designed by
Lindsay Annelin
Fifth Grade Teacher

2. Objectives of Project Using
Step by Step Process
• Present students with • Record information
Solar System Topics collected on Word
• Students choose topic document
to research • Learn how to create a
• Put kids in groups PowerPoint
• Students are assigned • PowerPoint guidelines
roles of what to and rubric
research • Present PowerPoint
• Begin research using presentations for all
format given to see…

3. Solar System Topics
Mrs. Annelin’s students (5A)
Mercury: Hunter
Venus: Savana
Earth: Jason
Mars: Solomon, Bran
Jupiter: Paige, Kate
Saturn: Miranda, Nellie,
Courtney
Uranus: Jordan
Neptune: Sophie, Isabelle
Pluto: Annalysse

4. Recommended Research
Websites
www.nasa.gov
www.kidsastronomy.com
www.google.com
(search information and images “for kids”)
www.kids.nineplanets.org
www.planetsforkids.org
www.factmonster.com (click on science –
astronomy and space– planets)

5. Research

6. Model, Model, Model…
• I modeled for my students how to create a
PowerPoint presentation using a step by
step learning process each day
• Beginning with the title slide, the students
learned how to add text and images
• I taught them how to add different
backgrounds/apply templates to slides
• They learned how to apply various slide
transitions and add sound to their slides
• Students were engaged and enthusiastic!

7. PowerPoint Guidelines
• Title page (name of planet/topic, name of
presenters, and picture included)
• 1st slide: what does the name of your topic
mean/definition
• 2nd slide: what is the surface of your planet
like? What is your object made up of?
• 3rd slide: what is the diameter (distance
across in miles)? Where is your object found
in the universe?
• 4th slide: atmosphere
• 5th slide: distance from the sun
• 6th slide: length of day and year or (round
please) How long does it last in the universe?
Interesting facts about your topic
• 7th slide: Important vocabulary words to your
topic
• 8th slide: interesting facts (at least 2)
• 9th slide: pictures with captions or question
and answer slide
• 10th slide: ending…”I hope you enjoyed
learning more about…” (with pictures)

8. Sample Student Title Pages

9. “Ugh & Aha” Moments
• My biggest dilemma was • Student enthusiasm and
figuring out where to begin in engagement was undeniable
this process (do I show them throughout the process
a powerpoint example right • Recommended website list
away, or take them through allowed for a safer search and
the creation process first?) student saved the sites to
• I decided to show my students their “favorites”
an example I created to get • PowerPoint guidelines and
them excited! It worked…! expectations were clearly
• Difficult when I have 24 stated
students and only one of me to • PowerPoint rubric allowed
monitor technology issues, students to know expectations
although luckily we only had a ahead of time
couple snafus. Choice, choice, choice…
•
student ownership is crucial

10. PowerPoint Rubric
Solar System PowerPoint Presentations
Name_________________
Required Slides 5pts/slide Comments
Title Page
Meaning of topic
Surface/What it is
made of
Diameter or other fact
Atmosphere of object
Distance from
sun/location in universe
Interesting facts/
Important vocabulary
Facts/Quiz
Creativity
Behavior/Teamwork
/50pts total Grade:

11. Invite to Presentations
Fifth Grade
Solar System PowerPoint
Presentations
Who: Fifth graders
What: Solar System presentations
Where: Mrs. Annelin’s classroom
When: Wednesday, April 17th
from 9:10-10:05am
Why: To show off the student’s
hard work and research on our
solar system unit in science!
Thank you for your support…
We hope to see you there!

12. Overall Impact on My
Teaching and Student
•
Learning than ever
Students were more engaged
throughout this project
• Intrigued due to learning new use of
technology and turning “boring”
informational book reports into a
creative presentation
• When all aspects of the TPACK model
are applied and executed, the lesson is a
success!
• I will be sure to implement this project
next year and for years to come…