1. SOLAR SYSTEM PROJECT
60% GRADE
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING. PARENTS, PLEASE SIGN BESIDE
THE PROJECT THAT YOUR CHILD CHOOSES.
1. STAR (Space Technology And Research) Project:
Choose a “spinoff product” (something originally created for the space program
but became useful to people on Earth.) Suggestions of products include:
- tv satellite dish - medical imaging
- vision screening system - ear thermometer
- fire fighter equipment - smoke detector
- some cordless tools - thermal gloves and boots
- space pens - sun tiger glasses
- shock absorbing helmets - ski boots
- failsafe flashlight - invisible braces
- edible toothpaste - joystick controllers
- Hasbro Aero Nerf Gliders - golf clubs with special metal alloys
- blanket insulation kits - Boeing 777 (lightweight materials, glass
cockpit, and aircraft control system)
Research the product. Answer these questions:
- How was this product originally used in space?
- Was this product originally used for a mission? Which one?
- How is this product now used on Earth?
- Did the design, form, or function of this product change when it was
adapted for use on Earth? How?
- Give other interesting information about this product.
Make a STAR poster. (I have a pattern – you furnish the poster board)
- Answer each question on one of the five “points” of the star poster.
- Write the name in the middle and display a picture(s) of the product.
- Decorate the STAR poster so that it looks nice for your presentation.
Create a Model
- Make a model of the product OR
- bring in the actual product OR
- Save pictures from the internet on a CD or flash drive and show during
your presentation so the class can see how it is used on Earth and/or in
space
Present your product
My child will do this project: _________________________________________

2. 2. Terrestrial Planet Surface Model
Choose Mercury, Venus, or Mars and research the surface features of that planet.
Make a model of the planet’s surface with major features labeled. This model can
be a hanging spherical model or a stand-alone flat model showing one portion of
the planet’s surface.
Correct colors should be used. You choose the materials to make the surface!!
Make a model of one spacecraft (orbiter, probe, rover) and place above or on the
surface
Write a 5 paragraph paper (each paragraph at least 5 sentences) including:
- description of the atmosphere
- description of the surface
- all explorations of this planet and what was discovered
- Compare to Earth (how like Earth)
- Contrast to Earth (how different from Earth)
Presentation (neatness and knowledgeable of the information)
My child will do this project: ______________________________________________
3. Scale of the Solar System
Construct a 3-D stand-alone solar system using the AU scale (no toilet paper) for
distance AND a scale showing the correct size of each planet and the Sun.
(include Pluto)
The color of each planet should be correct as viewed through telescopes/discussed
in class
Write a 5 paragraph paper including:
- what an astronomical unit is and some examples (like our toilet paper
model)
- describe your scale in AU’s (use your math)
- describe how you scaled the planets (use your math)
- explain why each planet appears to be that specific color (this can be two
paragraphs – terrestrial in one paragraph and gaseous planets in the 5th
paragraph)
Presentation (neatness and knowledgeable of the information)
My child will do this project: _______________________________________________

3. Rubric for STAR Project:
Each question answered correctly: (12 points each)
How was this product originally used in space? _____
Was this product originally proposed for a mission? Which one? _____
How is this product now used on Earth? _____
Did the design, form, or function change when it was adapted for use
on Earth? How? _____
Give other interesting information about this product. _____
Star shaped poster board used (5 points) _____
Labeled with picture in the middle (10 points) _____
Model, product, or pictures shared with the class (15 points) _____
Presentation – knowledgeable of all information, star poster looks nice,
neat, and decorated (10 points) _____
Grade: _____
Rubric for Terrestrial Planet Surface Project:
All major surfaces features shown and labeled (40 points) _____
Correct color(s) used (5 points) _____
Correct spacecraft included and labeled ( 10 points) _____
5 paragraph paper including:
- description of the atmosphere (7 points) _____
- description of the surface (7 points) _____
- description of all missions and what was discovered (7 points) _____
- comparison to Earth (how that planet is like Earth) (7 points) _____
- contrast to Earth (how that planet is different from Earth) (7 points) _____
Presentation – knowledgeable, everything neat (10 points) _____
Grade: _____
Rubric for Scale of the Solar System:
Stand along 3-D model of the solar system (Sun and planets) (5 points) _____
Correct distance scale in astronomical units (AU’s) (20 points) _____
Correct size scale of the planets (20 points) _____
Correct colors of the Sun and planets (10 points) _____
5 paragraph paper includes: (7 points each)
- explanation of Astronomical Units and examples _____
- explanation of your AU scale including your math _____
- explanation of your size scale including your math _____
- explanation of terrestrial planets’ colors _____
- explanation of gaseous planets’ colors _____
Presentation – knowledgeable, everything is neat (10 points) _____
Grade: _____