Name:______________________ Section: _____ Mr.

Kinney’s Science Class

Ronald Edmonds Learning Center (K113) Planetary Research Project

Introduction
So far, we’ve explored how the Earth, Moon, and Sun interact with each other to create
seasons, eclipses, rotations, and revolutions. Now, it’s time to explore the rest of the Solar
System. There are 7 other planets and 3 dwarf planets–many with their own moons. Your
mission will be to investigate one of these other bodies and present your findings to your
colleagues.

Research
After you’ve drawn a card and you know what planet you will be researching, it’s time to
hit the books. Here are some examples of basic information that you’ll want to know
about your planet.

• Name of the planet • What is the planet made of?

• Its diameter or size
• Its distance from the Sun
• Length of its year (orbital
revolution)
• Length of its day (rotation)
• Its moons (if it has any)
• Have we ever explored this
planet? If not, why?
• Would it be difficult for us to live
on this planet? Why or why not?
• A description of the planet.
• Is there anything that sets this
planet apart from other planets?

There are a number of books at your disposal in the classroom. Some of the books may
contain different information. If that happens, check the copyright date on one of the first
few pages of the book. Choose the most recent book. The list above is the very basics.
The more detailed your research is, the higher your grade will be.

End product
After you’ve conducted your research, you need to create two products: a written piece
and a poster. You will be presenting your findings to the class.

The written piece

Your written piece should be five paragraphs in length. Your paper should include all of
the research that you’ve conducted. The first paragraph should be an introduction to your
planet and include its name, distance from the sun, and a brief description of what it looks
like. Your second paragraph should include a description of what the planet is made up
of, the length of its day, and of its year. The third paragraph should include any features
that separate it from other planets and a description of its moons. Your fourth and fifth
paragraphs should include any previous exploratory missions to this planet and whether
or not a human station on this planet would succeed.

The visual piece

Each research team should create a oak tag poster including all of the information needed
in the written piece plus visual representations of the planet itself.