Introduction

Did you know that our sun is a star? Our sun is a powerful star that makes life possible on our planet by providing light and heat. Why do we need the sun? What causes the sun to shine and give off heat? Can the sun be dangerous? Can the Sun ever disappear?

 

Warning: You have just entered the solar zone! Put on your sunglasses and sunblock and come take a journey into the solar system so we can explore our own amazing star!

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Attention Solar Stars: Are you ready for blast-off into the center of our solar system? You will start feeling hot, hot, hot! Hold on!

• Your task is to find out the many mysteries of our sun.
• In groups of 4, you will each pick a task to accomplish.
• Each of you will be checking out web sites and tapping into your very own brain power to solve many sun mysteries.
• Each group will then put together their "sun"-sational information into a Hyperstudio presentation or present a news/science broadcast.

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The Process and Resources 

  Part 1 - Mysteries for Solar Star Scientists  

To solve the many mysteries of our sun, this is what you will need to do.

1. First you'll be assigned to a group of 4 students.
2. Each of you will need to pick a role of a sun scientist. In order to find out the responsibilities of each scientist, click on a particular scientist to reveal questions and links.
3. Once each of you have picked a scientific area to study, start gathering your information and most of all, have fun!
4. Use the questions to guide you and draw pictures or save graphics to help make your final project look fantastic.

Sun Scientists

2.    Sun Giver

3.    Heater & Shiner

4.    Danger Alert

5.    Eager Eclipser (For someone who wants extra fun)

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Part 2 - Putting it Together: Requirements and Tips

After you have found the answers to your questions and have been filled with "sunny" delight, design your final project. Here are some tips and requirements for your final project.

           Requirements for Hyperstudio Stack            

Each scientist will need to make a layout for at least 2 cards within your group's stack. Each card should have text, at least one graphic, buttons, and sound. Each card should give a summary of interesting facts and list any discoveries you have made.

                  Requirements for Newscast             

Each scientist will need to type out a 1-2 page script on a word processor and create at least 2 graphics within a paint or draw program to accompany their script and act as visual aids.

  Tips:

• First, you will want to meet with your group and decide whether you will be doing the Hyperstudio presentation or newscast for your final project. Then, start planning.
• To plan out your information, it may help you to visually graph your presentation using the software entitled Inspiration or Claris Works Drawing.  You may print a copy of  a graphic organizer if the software is not available.
• Remember, you must include diagrams or pictures along with your written information .
• You should try importing graphics from the web for either project. You can do this by right clicking on your mouse and saving the picture to a disk or hard drive. If you choose not to import graphics, you may draw the pictures using the tools in Hyperstudio or the tools in a draw or paint program.
• You should be prepared to present your newscast or Hyperstudio presentation to the class by practicing your written material so that you can read it fluently with lots of expression.
• Hint: To make sure you are fully prepared for your final project, read over the rubric in the evaluation section.

    Go to Process & Resources           Go to Sun Scientists          Go to Requirements and Tips

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Resources   

Most of the web resources have been given on each scientist page.  A few additional links are listed below.

Classroom resources include the following:

• World Book Encyclopedia on CD-ROM 
• Encarta Encyclopedia on CD-ROM
•  The Sun by Robert Daily (1994)
• The Sun by Gregory L. Vogt (1996)
• The Sun and its Secrets by Isaac Asimov (1994)
• The Sun: Our Nearest Star by Franklyn M. Branley (1998)

Additional Web Links

Kids 'n Space

The Sun:  Power Plant of the Solar System

The Sun

The Sun: NCTM & NSES

National Geographic's Solar System

The Sun:  Pictures & Facts

The Planets & Stars:  Images through a Telescope

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Evaluation

Your performance will be evaluated in 2 ways. It will be evaluated for the work you do individually collecting and organizing information. You will also be evaluated for the final project your group puts together. Please click on the rubric to see how you will be evaluated.

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Conclusion

Now that you have journeyed to the sun, you should be loaded with sizzling hot facts about the sun. Did you know that we had such an amazing star over our heads every day? Now, when you look up in the sky and see the bright rays overhead, you should know why you are feeling heat, what is going inside the sun, why we need the sun, and how to protect yourself from the sun.  Isn't our sun simply "sun"-sational?

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Extras  

Fun Sun Crafts & Activities

http://family.go.com/Categories/Activities/Features/family_1997_08/fam.../famf87project21.htm

http://family.go.com/Features/family_1999_05/famf/famf59sundial/famf59sundial.html

http://hyperion.advanced.org/15215/media/greensun_puzzle2.JPG

Animation and clip art provided by:

http://animatedgifs.simplenet.com/

http://www.livinggraphics.com/

http://www.andyart.com/

http://www.clipartconnection.com/

http://nzwwa.com/mirror/clipart/graphics/animated/

http://www.webpedia.com/

 

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July 12, 1999

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Adapted for offline use. For the original WebQuest go to:
http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Mountain/4240/