Dear 6th Grade Scholars of KIPP South Fulton Academy,

The end is near. An asteroid the size of Texas is on a direct collision course with Earth. This will mean the
end of life as we know it. It came to the attention of the Obama Administration that you are studying
Astronomy and are also experts on Geology, Meteorology, Hydrology, mathematics, informational writing,
and cultural practices. You will need all of your knowledge if you are to save humanity from extinction. Your
mission, should you choose to accept it:
You are needed to complete an interdisciplinary project to design a planet to save humanity. Planets,
especially those that can support human life, need very specific things. As such, along the way you may hit
roadblocks, but with grit, you will get through. Your new planet must be different from the other planets in
this Solar System, but it must still be able to support human life (and other forms if you so chooseyes, you
can have talking unicorns if you like). To support life, humans need the following things:
1. Food
2. Oxygen
3. Water
4. Moderate Temperature (Average global temperature above 0C and below 50C)
5. Protection from poison gases and high levels of radiation
6. Gravity
You MUST answer the following questions:
What is the name of your planet?
What is the shape and dimensions of your planet? (Be sure to include units!)
What type of star is nearest to it?
How many moons do you have? What are their names?
Does your planet have rings? If so, how many?
How far are you from the nearest star? Are you colder or hotter than Earth? Give the average
temperature.
What is the total surface area of your planet? What is the breakdown of this surface area (water, land,
other substances)?
How long is a day on your planet compared to Earth? (Use a ratio or percentage to elaborate.)
How long is a year on your planet compared to Earth? (Use a ratio or percentage to elaborate.)
You must include SOME of the following information about your planet:
Temperature range and factors that affect the range (rotation rate, atmospheric thickness, tilt, etc.);
Interesting surface features (including effects of weathering, erosion, mountain building, glaciers,
etc.);
Interior of the planet;
Plate tectonics and/or volcanism
Seasons, hot regions, cold regions;
Percentage of days that the weather is different (rain, snow, ice, popcorn, etc.)
You may print things from the internet, include samples (rocks, life forms, artifacts, whatever!) this is not
required but would look really good!

Your final project will include a poster and/or 3D model AND written summary of some of your
planets characteristics and is due on April 19, 2016. This counts as a grade in ALL FOUR core
subjects (Earth Science, Math, RLA, and World Studies I).
Okay, scholars; its time to create the next home for humanity. Follow these steps:
1. Go to http://astroventure.arc.nasa.gov
2. Click on the Astronomy Training link and get through it.
3. Once done with that training, you should complete the remaining three trainings in Atmospheric
Science, Geology and Biology.
4. When you are ready, click the link, Design A Planet. Apply what you know and create a new home
for mankind!

__________________________________________________________
I, _________________________________, parent/guardian of ___________________________________,
acknowledge that I have received this packet for the 6th grade planet project. Furthermore, I understand that
this project is interdisciplinary and will count as a project grade in all four core classes (Earth Science, Math,
RLA, and World Studies I). This project is DUE

APRIL 19, 2016.

Name(Printed): _________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________

Date: ______________________

Science/Math Integration
1. Prediction: How difficult do you think it will be to design a planet that is different from Earth but
still habitable to humans? Why do you think this?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
2. Data: As you enter attempts in the computer model, record your combinations and results below:
Attempt
Number
Example:
Earth
1

Star Type

Orbit

Yellow

1 AU

Planet
Mass
1

Volcanoes
Yes

Plate
Movement
Yes

Liquid
Water
Yes

Producers

Results

Yes

Habitable to humans

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

3. Results: What combinations of variables make a planet habitable? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. Record the numbers of attempts by category below:

Number of total attempts: _______
Number of planets habitable to humans: ________
Number of planets habitable to extremophiles, but not humans: ________
Number of uninhabitable planets: ________
5. Data Analysis: Graph your results below:

6. Conclusions: How difficult was it to find a combination that resulted in a habitable planet for
humans? What conclusions can you draw about habitable planets for humans? Be specific and
include evidence.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Social Studies Integration

Directions: In this section, you will explain the cultural practices of the people that are habitable to your
planet. Use the Criteria for Success as your guide when creating visuals and writing descriptions of the
culture.

Draw a picture of the following:

a. Clothing (Attire will need to be relative to the climate and temperature)
b. Food (Natural Resources)
c. Economic Systems (traditional, mixed, market, or command)
Write a short summary about the following:
a. Language and its origination (How did the language come into existence)
b. Religion
c. Standard of living (think of their literacy rate, GDP, economy)

Clothing

Food (Natural Resources)

Economic System

Language: _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Religion:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Standard of Living:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

RLA Integration
Informational/Explanatory Essay Rubric
POINTS
4

CRITERIA
The students response is a well-developed informative/explanatory text that examines a
topic in depth and conveys ideas and information clearly based on text as a stimulus.
Effectively introduces a topic
Groups related ideas together logically to give some organization to the writing
Effectively develops the topic with multiple facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic
Effectively uses linking words and phrases to connect ideas within and across
categories of information
Uses precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to explain the topic
Provides a strong concluding statement or section related to the information or
explanation provided.
The students response is a complete informative/explanatory text that examines a topic
and presents information based on text as a stimulus.
Introduces a topic
Develops the topic with some facts, definitions, and details
Groups some related idesa together to give partial organization to the writing
Uses some linking words tot connect ideas within and across categories of
information, but relationships may not always be clear
Uses some precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to explain the topic
Provides a concluding statement or section
The students response is an incomplete or oversimplified informative/explanatory text that
cursorily examines a topic.
Attempts to introduce a topic
Attempts to develop a topic with too few details
Attempts to group some related ideas together but organization is not clear
Uses few linking words to connect ideas, but not all ideas are well connected to the
topic
Uses limited language and vocabulary that do not clearly explain the topic
Provides a weak concluding statement or section
The students response is a weak attempt to write and informative/explanatory text that
examines a topic.
May not introduce a topic or topic is unclear
May not develop a topic
May be too brief to group any related ideas together
May not use any linking words to connect ideas
Uses vague, ambiguous, or repetitive language
Provides a minimal or no concluding statement or section