Teacher: Edith Larson

Grade and Topic: Grade 6, Earth Science

Date: October 16, 2014

Length of Lesson: 60 Minutes for one day

Lesson: Understanding Distances in our Solar System

Lesson Objectives:
1. Based on what we have learned in class about the solar system and the
various planets constituting the system, we will create a spreadsheet to
understand the relative distances of the planets from the sun using
Astronomical Units.
2. The student must complete a Think Sheet and create a spreadsheet on the
computer that lists all of the planets and their distances from the Sun in AU
(Astronomical Units) converted from the distances given in meters in the
Problem Statement. The student must use the spreadsheet to find out how
far away from the sun the mystery planet given in the problem statement is
and which two planets surround the mystery planet.
3. The Think Sheet must be completed with complete sentences and correct
grammar. The Spreadsheet must state the correct formula used to convert
meters to AU and must organize the planets from closest to the sun to
furthest from the sun based on the calculated values for their AU. The
student must score at least a 2 out of 3 on the assessment rubric on both the
Think Sheet and the Spreadsheet.
Lesson Standards:
ISTE Standard 1: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and
develop innovative products and processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
ISTE Standard 4: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research,
manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate
digital tools and resources.
a. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
b. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed
decisions.
ISTE Standard 6: Students demonstrate a sound understand of technology concepts,
systems, and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems
TN Earth and Space Science: GLE 0607.6.1. Analyze information about the major
components of the universe.
TN Earth and Space Science: GLE 0607.6.2. Describe the relative distance of objects
in the solar system from earth.
Materials:
Think Sheet

Problem Statement
Pencil
Eraser
Scratch Paper
Laptop Computer
Microsoft Excel

The Use of A Spreadsheet: The student will be using the spreadsheet to perform
simple math equations to organize the planets based on distance from the sun in
Astronomical Units to find where the mystery planet (described in the problem
statement) is located in the Solar System. The calculation function in Microsoft Excel
will be used to convert kilometers to AU.
Problem Statement: Imagine you are a Scientist at NASA and a colleague has come
to talk to you. Your colleague tells you that he has seen a possible undiscovered
mystery planet in his telescope. You take a look through the telescope and see the
mystery planet too! Your telescope tells you how far away the mystery planet is
from the sun in KILOMETERS. Your task is to find out where the mystery planet is
located using Astronomical Units (AU). Complete the Think Sheet given and use a
computer to create a spreadsheet using Microsoft Excel that lists all the planets in
order from closest to the sun to furthest from the sun by converting the following
distances in the table in kilometers to AU.
You know that 1 AU= 149,600,000
Planet
Distance from the Sun in Kilometers
Neptune
4,501,000,000 km
Saturn
1,424.600,000 km
Earth
149,600,000 km
Uranus
2,873,550,000 km
Mars
227,940,000 km
Mercury
57,910,000 km
Venus
108,200,000 km
Jupiter
778,330,000 km
Mystery Planet
3,455,029,000 km
Before computer:
Student: Before going to the computer, the student shall organize the planets from
shortest distance from the sun to furthest on a piece of scratch paper based on the
table given in the problem statement. This way the student will be able to enter the
planets in order in the spreadsheet. The student must also complete questions 1 and
2 on the Think Sheet provided. These are supporting activities to the spreadsheet
assignment.
Teacher: The teacher will check each students formula (question 2 of the Think
Sheet) to make sure it is correct before entering the data into Excel.

At the computer:
Teacher: The teacher will remind the students how to open Miscrosoft Excel and
how to enter items into the spreadsheet and perform calculations. The teacher will
remind the students to save their work as they progress.
Student: The student will create a spreadsheet and use the formula they have
devised included in the Think Sheet to convert distance in kilometers to distance in
Astronomical Units.
After Computer:
Students: The student will answer questions 3 & 4 on the Think sheet and
participate in a class discussion.
Teacher: The teacher will display a completed spreadsheet with the correct answer
of where the mystery planet is located in the solar system in AU. The teacher will
explain the correct formula and lead a class discussion on why astronomical units
are useful to scientists.
Assessment Rubric for Grading:
Assignment
Think Sheet

1
The student cannot
devise the formula
to use on his/her
own in three
attempts or 2 or
more out of 4
questions are
incomplete,
incorrect, or have
spelling/grammar
issues.

Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet is
incomplete, not in
the correct order
(distance from the
sun), and displays
incorrect distances
(incorrect math).

2
Formula may be
incorrect on first
attempt, but
eventually the
student devises the
correct formula on
his/her own in no
more than three
attempts. At least 3
out of the 4
questions on the
think sheet are
correct with
proper grammar.
The Spreadsheet is
complete, in order,
but the
math/distances
may be off. Some
calculation errors,
but no more than
3.

3
Devised formula
(question 2) is
correct on first
attempt. All
questions are
answered correctly
and with proper
grammar.

The spreadsheet
has less than 3
calculation errors,
the planets are in
the correct order,
and AU distances
are correct within
2 decimal places.

Think Sheet
Understanding Distances in our Solar System: Mystery Planet
1. In your own words, based on what I have taught you in class, define the
Astronomical Unit (AU):

2. Based on the problem statement, devise the formula to convert the kilometer
distances given in the table to distances in Astronomical Units. Show the formula
below. You will be using this formula in Microsoft Excel to create your spreadsheet.

3. How many AU is the Mystery planet away from the sun? Which two planets in our
solar system surround the mystery planet?

4. Explain why you think it may be helpful in this case for scientists to use AU
instead of meters, miles, or kilometers?

Sample Student Spreadsheet is attached in the Dropbox and titled Larson

Spreadsheet Student Example
In case the Excel file does not open on your computer here is a screenshot of it: