astroadventures

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”.

Your Three Tasks

In groups of 1-3, your assignment is to

    • design and create a trifold brochure advertising travel to a celestial body in our solar system.
    • create a model or drawing of an alien that tourists would meet on their vacation.
    • 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.

Alien: Design an alien that your tourists would meet on their vacation. This alien must have adaptations that allow it to live on or around the destination. Consider such adaptations as protection from the environment, means of locomotion (movement), ability to eat, etc...

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 else 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, and others upon request.

You will be turning in a daily log report of the work that was completed in class. This may include, but should not be confined to, an explanation of websites visited and what was learned, draft copy of your presentation, work still to be addressed, etc… All group members will need to “sign off” on the task form each day.

Time Line

You will have 4 class periods to work on this (5/26, 5/27, 5/28, 5/29). The presentations will take place on Wednesday 6/3.

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Your brochure should include the following:

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

    • 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 MLA style.
      • This should be handed in separately --- not on your brochure!

Your Alien Model/Drawing and Information Card:

Your task is to design and report on a space alien best adapted to the “living conditions” on the solar system body of your choice. This would be an alien that the tourist would be likely to meet on their vacation --- similar to a moose tour or whale watching expedition here on Earth.

    • What is the original name for your alien speices?
    • For each of the following, explain the specific adaptations based on the specifics of your planet, moon or other object.
      • How has each of the senses (sight, taste, touch, hearing, smell) evolved?
      • How does the alien protect itself from elements like temperature, deadly radiation, “weather,” other…?
      • How and what does the alien eat?
      • How does does the alien reproduce (lays eggs, live birth, budding?)
      • How does the alien move?
      • Describe the size and shape of the alien.
    • Create a model or drawing of your alien addressing all the adaptations above.
    • Create a one page/card explaining the relevant adaptations in list form or paragraph form.

Presentation Information --- on Thursday 6/4

    • Create a persuasive 3-5 minute sales pitch to the class about your destination including:
      • key points about your destination
        • DO NOT read the brochure word for word… choose exciting and important information
      • 6 black and white copies of the brochure for your classmates (I can help with this - just ask!)
      • a “picture” or model of your alien
      • highlights about your alien’s adaptations
    • You can pre-record this or present live!

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