astroadventures

Travel Agent for the Solar System (Groups of 2-4)

Introduction: You are in charge of the new “Travel the Solar System” account at Universe Travel Agency. Your research tells you that people are tired of going to the same old places like Antarctica, the Amazon, and Mt. Everest. They want new adventures that are “out of this world” and into “outer space”. You first need to choose a destination and then choose a slogan or “catch phrase.”

Your Two Tasks

1. Your assignment is to design and create a trifold brochure advertising travel to a celestial body in our solar system.

2. You will also create a persuasive three to five minute sales pitch to the class about your destination.

Your Brochure: Create an informational brochure like you might find in a travel agency. You are marketing your product! Keep in mind the make-up and special features of your destination, take into account the environmental conditions, and think about some of the recreational activities that could be possible there. Your brochure should be neatly organized and colorful. Remember, you are trying to convince the public that your destination is the best place to go on vacation! Please make 6 b/w copies for your classmates.

Presentation: You will be making a sales pitch to the class to entice clients on your trip. Your presentation must be at least 3 but less than 5 minutes and must include multimedia, poster, audio, visual or anything you think will help entice a visitor to your location. You can pre-record this or present first-hand!

Destination Possibilities

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto,Titan, Europa, Io, Ganymede, Callisto, the moon, the asteroid belt, Phobos, Deimos, Titania, Oberon, Umbriel, Ariel, Miranda, Triton, Charon, Halley’s Comet, Comet Kohoutek, Shoemaker-Levy Comet, other comets.

Your brochure and presentation should include the following general, geologic/meteorological, historical and special feature information:

General Information

• Name of destination and a picture or drawing of its appearance
• Position in the Solar System: Where is your destination located? Provide a visual of the location. How far from the Sun does it orbit? How far is it from Earth?
• Orbit: How long does it take to orbit the Sun? Is its orbit unusual?
• Rotation on its Axis: How long does it take to rotate on its own axis? Is its rotation unusual?
• Who is attributed for discovering your destination?
• How was your destination discovered by scientists?

Geologic/Meteorological Information

• Temperature: What is the temperature range? How does this compare to Earth temperatures?
• Geology: What does it look like? Are there any special features?
• Composition: What type of object is it (is it rocky or a gas planet)? What is its internal composition?
• Size: How big is it? How does it rate in terms of the other objects in the solar system (is it the biggest, the smallest)?
• Mass: What is its mass? How its mass rate in terms of the other objects (is it the biggest, the smallest)?
• Gravity: What is the force of gravity? What would it be like to move at this destination?
• Atmosphere: What is the composition of the atmosphere of? Is it a thick or a thin atmosphere?

Special Features

(This can often be the best part of this brochure, taking you off on interesting topics.)

• Is there anything special? For example, are there 100-year long storms? Are there any moons or rings at your destination: If so, describe them and when they were discovered.
• Are there giant volcanoes? Does it have a severely titled axis (giving it extreme seasons)? How did the destination get its name? Have spacecraft visited it? If so, what have they discovered? BE CREATIVE.
• Create or modify a sport or activity that you can show on the brochure. Make sure to use the characteristics of the object. Choose a sport that would be a best fit for your destination. If none exist then be creative and make one up using the attributes of your planet.
• How would a Human Being live: What would a human need to wear? What would they need to bring with them to be prepared for their environment? Would a person choke in the atmosphere, be squashed by the extreme gravity, float with ease, freeze, burn up, or something else? Be CREATIVE in how you describe this.

Other specific information

• Graphics: include a minimum of 5 pictures or diagrams
• Bibliography: at least 3 resources listed APA style on your board, one of which must be from literature, a magazine, a book, etc.
  • This should be handed in separately --- not on your brochure!

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Evaluation: You will leave a brochure for me to evaluate. (Do not copy word for word from any source. Plagiarism will result in an “0” for the assignment.)

Your commission (grade) depends on the following:

* Actual money will not be awarded. Your payment is in the form of points toward a grade!

A range = $1000-$800

B range = $800-$650

C range = $650-450

D range = $450-250

F = below 250

Time Line

You will have 4 class periods to work on this (5/31, 6/1, 6/4 and 6/5). The presentations will take place on 6/12. If you are going to be absent on 6/12, you will need to have your presentation completed and turned in before you leave.

Sample (please be aware that not all questions are answered on this brochure!)