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  Space Tourism:
An Invitation to Space
Grade 8 - Gemini - Broughton  

As members of the team, you will develop a marketing plan to promote tourism to your planet and then determine which plan is best.  

Picture this: You are to be part of an elite and sophisticated group of experts who will map and promote tourism to your planet. As a cracker-jack marketing team no expense is too great; no expectation is too large; get ready for take off!

In the following WebQuest, you will use the power of teamwork and the abundant resources on the Internet to design and market your trip. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic.

The Quest

Develop a marketing plan to promote tourism to your planet. Which plan is the best?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Question. As a member of the group you will explore Webpages about the solar system and about Space Tourism. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic. We'll start by reviewing the characteristics of our planet, Earth.

These websites will help you to research your planet.

• Welcome to the Planets
• Space Image Library
• The Planets in Our Solar System - Apparent size from Earth, Temperature (K Range or Average), Number of Moons. ...
• The Nine Planets - The Nine Planets is an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information. Interplanetary spacecraft have revolutionized planetary science. Very little of this document would have been possible without the space program.
• Science Clips: Solar System Graphics - Clip art source
• Views of the Solar System from Los Alamos National Library
  

Phase 1 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

          G Force Expert
          Rubric

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #1: G Force Expert

· Gravitational force
· Distance form the sun


1. What is the force of gravity on your planet?
2. What would a 100 pound student weigh on your planet?
3: How is this different from earth?
4: What will you need to survive the force of gravity?

• Kathy Shrock - Weight   Discovery School: Weight on  Other Planets http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/webmath/weight.html

Statistical Engineer
Rubric

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #2: Statistical Engineer

· Speed
· Orbital Path


1. What is the distance from the sun?
2. Is its year longer or shorter than earth?
3. If your spacecraft is traveling at 40,000 km/hr (the average speed of a space ship), how long would it take for you to get there?   Use the following formula:  Speed (km/hr) = Distance (km) / Time 
Remember, the distance must be from the earth, not from the sun.  

 PLANET                                                                 Distance from the earth (km)

Mercury	92,000,000
Venus	41,000,000
Mars	78,000,000
Jupiter	629,000,000
Saturn	1,227,000,000
Uranus	2,721,000,000
Neptune	4,347,000,000
Pluto	5,750,000,000

4. What do you need to know to determine the answer? Develop a step-by-step math problem.
5. How old would you be when you get there?

           Meteorologist
           Rubric

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #3: Meteorologist

· Temperature
· Atmospheric conditions

1. What is the temperature on your planet?
2. How would your space vehicle be constructed to withstand this?
3. What space wear would you need to withstand this temperature?
4. What is the atmospheric composition?
5. What are the concern about being in this atmosphere?

• Basics of Space Flight - Solar System Temperature Reference - Solar System Temperature Reference -table of different temperatures

          Media/Public Relations Director
          Rubric

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to role, job or perspective #4: Media/Public Relations Director

· Pictures
· Composition
· Moons
· Rings
· Size

1. What pictures best portrays this planet or planetary object?
2. What are three facts that may entice vacationers or tourists?
3. How would you entice visitors with disabilities?

• Common Advertising Strategies

Phase 2 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different planet. As a group, discuss the design and the marketing techniques you will employ to entice visitors to your planet  by creating a power point presentation.

To get your discussion started, each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good reasons supporting why your planet is the best travel destination. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web - citations!) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point).

Each of you will bring important information about your planet to the team's marketing effort. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your planet is the best destination for future space travel.

Phase 3 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles and promoting your planet. Now it's time to present your promotion to the other teams in the class.