Science Challenge!

Hello-

For my science challenge I decided I will tackle Objective 1 of Standard 1 in the third grade core curriculum.

Objective 1: Describe the shape of earth and the moon as spherical.
List the differences in the physical appearance of Earth and the moon as viewed from space.

Using Google Earth and Moon, students will explore the appearance of both the Earth and the Moon. They will answer a series of questions:
1. What shape is the earth? What shape is the moon? What are other objects you see in life that are this same shape?

2. Looking at the earth so that the equator is running horizontal across the middle of the screen, what colors do you see?

3. Looking at the moon using google moon, what colors can you see?

4. While still on google moon, zoom in to the following three sites: Apollo 11, Apollo 12, and Apollo 14. These are the places where those spaceships landed. List three descriptions of each site of what you see. Be sure to include any landforms you see.

5. Using Google Earth, zoom in to three different places of your choice. Write what places you visit and three descriptions of what you see. Be sure to include any landforms you might see.

6. Rotate views on both Google Earth and Google Moon. Compare and contrast what you see with 3 descriptions in each column for similarities and differences.

7. Draw and color a picture of the moon and a picture of the earth. Label at least five characteristics on each.

Content: Students will learn Standard 1, Objective 1 in the third grade core. They will learn that the earth and the moon are both spherical and that their appearance has both similarities and differences.
Pedagogy: I will ask the students what they have observed about the moon before. After we discuss this, I will excitedly inform them that are computers have a program that allows us to explore the surface of the moon like we have explored the earth before on Google Earth. The students will have about ten minutes to explore the moon as they wish to acquaint themselves with the technology. Then, I will pass out a worksheet with the questions above that will guide them in their explorations and observations. They will conclude the activity by drawing and coloring a picture that shows some of the observations they have made of the earth and the moon using Google Earth.
Technology: I will be using Google Earth and its special Google Moon abilities to explore the surfaces of those two spheres.