Hours 1/2/4 Minimize and Maximize Space

Name______#______Date______Hour______

Hours 1/2/4 Minimize and Maximize Space (20 point formative assessment)

Unit Essential Question: ______

Focus Question: How are units used to describe the immensity of the Solar System?

Part I Directions: Follow the step-by step instructions and answer the questions below.

1. Make a hypothesis: Can a model of the solar system be accurately scaled to fit the length of a meter stick?

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2. Inventory your supplies: Make sure you have nine different sized balls on toothpicks, several clips, a large ball or balloon, and a meter stick. Let the teacher know if you are missing anything.

3. Identify the “planets”; decide which one is which. For example, if you think the pink puffy ball on the toothpick is Jupiter, write it below. The Sun is the largest sphere that is not on a toothpick. Pluto and Mercury have been identified for you:

Black: Pink: Red:

White: Yellow: Orange: Mars

Brown: Pluto Gold: Silver:

Teacher Check-In: ______Teacher Check-In: ______

4. Place the Sun at one end of the meter stick, and clip Pluto to the other end. In this model, Pluto is 1m (100 cm) away from the Sun, so 1 cm= 60,000,000 km. Use that information to help you scale the distances and create a scientific model using the length of the meter stick. You may use a textbook for assistance.

5. When you think you have a scale figured out, clip the planets to the meter stick when you think you have figured out their distances from the Sun. Call the teacher when ready. You must make at least three attempts before you will be given the answers; get a check after each attempt below:

______Attempt 1 ______Attempt 2 ______Attempt 3

6. Once you have received three checks, ask for the answer key.

7. Arrange the planets correctly and make corrections to the identifications in step 3 by crossing out and rewriting your answer.

8. Return all materials to the front of the room and complete Part II of this activity. Part II Follow-Up Directions: Once all materials are returned and your space is cleaned up, answer the questions below.

1. Was your hypothesis correct? Are you surprised that it was possible to accurately scale the solar system to fit the length of a meter stick?

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2. Did you have to make corrections to your “planets”? If yes, explain which ones and why you think you had these mislabeled:

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3. Describe the accuracy of this scientific model; which parts do you believe are accurate? Which parts do you believe are inaccurate?

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4. Explain anything that surprised you in this activity:______

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5. Explain your favorite part of this activity: ______

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6. How will this scale look different if larger, for example, on a football field? What will have to be done or used differently?

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