Grade 9 Science
SPACE ISP
OUTLINE INSTRUCTIONS EVALUATION
PART 1 – Research & Presentation of a Space Topic
General Info:
® This part of the ISP will be done individually or with one partner. (MAXIMUM 2 PEOPLE!)
® Select a topic to research from the list below. Choose something you are interested in.
® You may present the information you have researched in one of many ways. See the list of options below and choose one of them.
® You can pick a specific topic within a subject for a more detailed presentation. (eg. The Andromeda galaxy rather than galaxies in general)
® A sign up sheet will be posted in class. Please fill it in when you have decided.
SPACE TOPICS:
§ Asteroids
§ Big Bang
§ Galaxies
§ Stars (formation, the life of…, types, etc)
§ Constellations
§ Comets
§ Meteors & Meteorites
§ The Expanding Universe
§ The Greenhouse Effect
§ Earth’s Magnetic Field
§ The Moon
§ Observation Satellites
§ GPS (Global Positioning Satellites)
§ SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence)
§ Careers in Space
§ A different teacher-approved subject
FORMAT FOR PRESENTATION:
§ Information Board – This could be a poster or a free-standing board that presents all information.
§ Brochure/Pamphlet – Same idea as info board, just in a smaller/different format.
§ Design a website or Wikispace – Present your topic using the Internet.
§ Written Report – Type a nicely formatted document.
§ Create a Video – Record any type of video you like: music video, TV show, News broadcast, etc.
§ Skit/Play – Write and plan a performance for the class about your topic.
§ PowerPoint Show – Make a creative slideshow about your topic.
§ Radio Broadcast or Podcast – Be a broadcaster and create your own radio or podcast show discussing your topic.
Requirements:
® The presentation must give a full and complete explanation of the topic. Discuss with your teacher if you are unsure about what to include.
® RESOURCE LIST: A list of references MUST be included with PART 1 of the ISP. You need to have a MINIMUM of 3 different sources of information. The proper format for referencing must be used – you can find this information in your lime green library research booklet!
Value: 40 Points
PART 2 – Adaptations of an Alien Life Form on a Different Planet
General Info:
® This part of the ISP may be done in groups of 2-3 (not 4!).
® Choose one of the planets from our solar system other than Earth (you can still choose Pluto if you like!)
® You need to develop an alien that lives on your chosen planet. Find out everything you can about the planet so you can design an alien that can live and thrive in that environment.
Requirements:
® You will write a report that describes in detail 10 features or adaptations of your alien, which helps it survive on the planet.
® The alien must have appropriate features and adaptations based on the environment and composition of your planet.
® Every adaptive feature of the alien should relate to a functional use.
® Provide valid reasons for each of your alien’s adaptations by referencing the characteristics of the planet.
(over)
You may find the following table useful to guide you in creating your alien. These are the 5 main categories to consider when developing an alien that can survive on your chosen planet.
Structural Features / Habitat / Energy Consumption & Use / Movement & Communication / Defense- skin
- appendages
- size & shape
- openings / - where on the planetary object does it live
- describe its niche
- relate to structural features that allow it to live in this particular habitat / - how it eats
- how it finds food
- what it eats
- how is waste produced
- can it produce its own energy
- relate to structural features that aid in energy consumption and use / - how it moves
- how it senses the environment
- changes to adapt to environment
- ability to communicate with its own kind
- signals danger etc.
- relate to structural features that aid in movement and communication / - predators
- how it fights
- weakness & strength
- relate to structural features that aid in the alien’s self defense
® RESOURCE LIST: A list of references MUST be included with PART 2 of the ISP. You need to have a MINIMUM of 3 different sources of information. The proper format for referencing must be used – you can find this information in your lime green library research booklet!
Value: 30 Points
PART 3 – Create a Model of your Alien
General Info:
® Based on the information you accumulated for your planet and alien (Part 2), you will make a 3D model.
® You will work with the SAME people you worked with in Part 2.
Requirements:
® Your model must be a representation of the adaptations discussed in Part 2
® The model must be made of long-lasting materials (i.e. NOT foods that will rot and start to smell after a few days…) It should also be durable and able to be transported without falling apart or breaking etc.
® There must be some sort of labeling system or legend to indicate each of the 10 features/adaptations that you discussed in Part 2.
Value: 30 Points
ASSESSMENT
Part 1 – Research & Presentation of a Space Topic
40 POINTS
Rubric
CRITERIA / LEVEL 4 / LEVEL 3 / LEVEL 2 / LEVEL 1Content
· Quality of content
· Understanding of content
· Clarity of explanations
· Ability to respond to questions / · Content is complete, correct and at an appropriate level of difficulty
· Demonstrates complete understanding of topic
· Is well able to explain concept(s) related to the topic
· Provides direct and accurate answers to questions / · Content contains some inaccuracies or has a lower level of difficulty
· Demonstrates good understanding of topic
· Is able to explain concept(s) related to the topic
· Provides satisfactory answers to questions / · Content is lacking in completeness or correctness
· Content may be at a low level of difficulty
· Demonstrates some understanding of topic
· Is able to explain most concept(s) related to the topic
· Attempts to provide satisfactory answers to questions / · Content is incomplete or inappropriate
· Demonstrates little understanding of topic
· Has difficulty explaining many concept(s) related to the topic
· Few attempts are made to answer questions
Written
Communication / · Scientific terminology is used meticulously and correctly.
· There are no spelling errors.
· There is a logical flow of information. / · Scientific terminology is usually used and is correct.
· There are few spelling errors.
· The flow of information is fairly logical / · Scientific terminology is sometimes used and is not always correct.
· There are frequent spelling errors.
· The flow of information is not well organized. / · Scientific terminology is seldom used and is often correct.
· There are abundant spelling errors.
· Flow of information is disjointed and hard to follow.
Oral
Communication / · Speaks clearly, audibly and confidently· Makes eye contact with audience
· Excellent use of vocabulary and terminology
· Logical well organized flow of information
· Free of nervous mannerisms / · Clear, audible voice
· Good eye contact with the audience
· Good use of vocabulary and terminology
· Good organization of information
· Slight hesitation or minor nervous mannerisms displayed / · Voice not always clear and audible
· Some hesitation and little eye contact with audience
· Displays some nervous mannerisms
· Errors in vocabulary/terminology evident
· Flow of information not always logical / · Mumbles and avoids facing the audience
· Hesitant, obviously very nervous
· Poor use of vocabulary
· Disjointed flow of information
Visual Appearance / · Presentation is very visually appealing.
· Relevant diagrams are well placed and well explained.
· A variety of formatting techniques are used effectively. / · Presentation is visually appealing.
· Uses relevant diagrams appropriately.
· Good us of formatting techniques. / · Visual appeal could be improved by addition of diagrams or use of formatting techniques / · Poor visual appeal; hard to read
· Visual appeal could be improved by addition of
Resources / · Three or more resources are used and referenced effectively.
· A variety of resources are used. / · Three resources are used and referenced effectively. / · There are less than three resources referenced or some/all are referenced incorrectly. / · No resources are referenced anywhere within the presentation.
** Note: Some categories of this rubric may not be used depending on the type of presentation chosen. (Ex: Oral Communication will not be used for a written report, Visual Appearance will not be used for a radio broadcast etc.) Please discuss with your teacher so you are aware of which categories will be included for your presentation format. **
DUE DATE:
Part 2 – Adaptations of an Alien Life Form on Another Planet
30 POINTS
r all sections are complete
r information is creative and shows thought
r innovative and creative adaptations
r includes appropriate reasons for adaptations
r completeness, depth and accuracy of adaptations
Rubric
CRITERIA / Level Four / Level Three / Level Two / Level OneCo-operative Skill: Deciding Together / · Everyone participates and consensus is met / · All members involved, but do not reach consensus for all items / · All members join in at different levels without consensus / · Consensus is not met; some members do not participate
Cognitive skill: Analysis of planet facts and reasoning for survivial / · Planet facts are interpreted to support all choices / · Planets facts are used to support some, but not all, choices. / · There is minimal use of planets facts and few reasons given for choices. / · Students do not connect planet facts to items selected
Cognitive skill: Clarity of Report / · Explanation of choices refers to interpretations of Planet data that is easy to understand and follow. / · Explanation of the group’s choice is clear and easy to follow / · Explanation of the choice requires prompts and questions / · Explanation of the group’s choices is unclear and confusing
Language skill: Cause/effect; reasons / · Students give more than one reason for each of their selections, and use an extended vocabulary of causal words. / · Students give a variety of reasons, and use a range of causal words correctly. / · Students give a few reasons, and use some causal words correctly, but may use the same ones repetitively. / · Students do not give clear reasons for their choices, and use few, if any, causal words, or use them incorrectly.
Resources / · Three or more resources are used and referenced effectively.
· A variety of resources are used. / · Three resources are used and referenced effectively. / · There are less than three resources referenced or some/all are referenced incorrectly. / · No resources are referenced anywhere within the presentation.
DUE DATE:
Part 3 – Create a Model of Your Alien
30 POINTS
r model is creative
r model is a good representation of the alien in the appropriate planet
r model is appropriately labeled indicating each adaptive part
DUE DATE: