Download GS107_2010.1_PosterProject_solarsystem

GS107 Solar System Poster Project
Purpose: investigate an object, group of objects or topic related to our the solar system
and share what you discover with your classmates.
Choice of Topic: Any object, group of objects or topic related to our solar system other
than the Sun, the Earth, the Moon or the formation of the solar system is fair game. After
the proposals are submitted we will work to eliminate overlapping topics by subdividing
or switching topics. Here is a possible list of objects/topics to get you going…
Mercury
Venus
Mars (moons: Phobos & Deimos, climate, terraforming)
Asteroids (Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, Juno, Ida, Gaspra, Mathilde, Eros, Itokawa, others….)
Jupiter (rings, moons: Io, Europa, Gannemedye, Callisto, others…..)
Saturn (rings, moons: Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Dione, Rhea, Titan, Hyperion, Iapetus,
Phoebe others… )
Uranus (rings, moons: Triton, Nereid….)
Neptune (rings, moons: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, Uberon…..)
Kuiper Belt Objects (Pluto, Eris, Sedna, Haumeia, Makemake …. )
Comets (Halley, Shoemaker-Levi 9, Hale-Bopp, Hyakutake, McNaught, Encke, Biela...)
Oort Cloud
Meteorites
Northern Lights
Cosmic Rays
Choose an object or group of objects that you find personally interesting! If there is some
solar system related topic which interests you but is not on the list consult with me to see
if it would be appropriate for this project.
Groups: You can work on this project individually or with a partner, your choice. If you
work with a partner you will both receive the same grade.
Proposal: You will need to write a brief proposal (one typed paragraph double spaced
will suffice) describing your solar system object(s) and why you find it(them) interesting.
Poster: Your poster should present the summary of your investigation in an organized
and attractive manner. We will have two days of poster presentations. During the poster
session the class will divide into two groups, the first group will put up their posters, give
a brief (2-3 minute) walk through their poster and answer questions while the other group
examines the posters, asks questions and completes evaluations of the posters. Then on
the following day the two groups will switch roles.
Abstract: The abstract is a concise summary of your presentation. It should be one page
or less in length and be written in complete sentences (i.e. not in outline format). The
abstract should be double spaced and typed in a legible font. It should include the title of
your presentation and your name and on the back it should include a reference list citing
the sources you used.
Evaluation: I will evaluate your poster on content and its presentation. For content I will
be evaluating the posters completeness (see section on suggested organization of the solar
system poster), your choice of illustrative figures and the quality and detail of
information you present. For the presentation I will be evaluating the poster’s appearance,
organization, text (writing and spelling) and how well your answer questions regarding
your poster.
Point Distribution
The poster project will be graded on a 25 point scale (see below). Projects make up 25%
of you course grade, to calculate your project grade I will average your star count project
and poster project.
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Due Dates
Proposal
Poster Content
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Peer Review
Proposal _______________
1 point
10 points
10 points
2 points
2 points
Poster Session __________________
Suggested References
Your Text Books!
Other Astronomy Text Books!
PCC Library Subject Guide http://alacarte.pcc.edu/subject-guide/63-Astronomy
The Nine (Eight?) Planets http://www.nineplanets.org/
NASA Welcome to the Planets http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/
NASA Solar System Exploration: Planets http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/index.cfm
General Organization of a Poster
Title & Name Create an informative title. Keep it short and to the point. Use BIG
LETTERS!
Introduction Include: an overview of your topic, explain why your topic is interesting
and important.
Body Present your information in a series of images with captions. Make sure there is a
logical organization and ‘flow’ to the information you provide. Use a font that is large
enough so that it is easily legible from 3 feet away. Someone looking at your poster
should find it visually interesting, informative and easy to follow.
Figures For each image include reference information. If you photographed the image
yourself, give yourself the credit!
Summary In a series of bullet points highlight the key points of your poster.
References List alphabetically by author’s last name and include title, place of
publication and year of publication. For web sites include title of web page, author, full
URL and date of access.
Sample Poster Layout: Use a full size trifold poster board (36” by 48”).
Introduction
Discovery & Exploration
Summary
Suggested Organization of Solar System Poster
Title & Name
Create an informative title which includes your organism’s name.
Keep it short and to the point. Use BIG LETTERS!
Introduction
What is your topic? Why is it interesting?
Discovery and Exploration
When was your object/topic discovered? How was it named? How has it been explored?
Orbital Characteristics
Briefly describe the orbital characteristics: period of orbit, shape of orbit, tilt of orbit,
rotation rate and tilt of axis of rotation.
Composition and Structure
What is your object made of? What is its internal structure? What does its surface look
like? What processes have shaped the surface? Does it have an atmosphere? What is the
atmosphere made of?
Additional Topics
Discuss in an additional section any additional interesting aspects of your topic. (This
will vary considerable with each topic!)
Summary
In a series of bullet points highlight the key points of your poster and indicate why your
topic is important.
List of References
Include at least three, including at least one book and no more than one encyclopedia
article. List alphabetically by author’s last name and include title, place of publication
and year of publication. For web sites include title of web page, author, full URL and
date of access.