TEKS & Objectives

7.3. Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions and knows the contributions of relevant scientists. The student is expected to:

7.3.D relate the impact of research on scientific thought and society, including the history of science and contributions of scientists as related to the content.

8.3.B use models to represent aspects of the natural world such as an atom, a molecule, space, or a geologic feature;

We will examine the future of space exploration.

I will identify vocabulary associated with solar system.

1. Watch video.

Think about the things that are needed for humans to live.
How can future space explorers meet their needs using the resources available from Earth and in space?

2. Review vocabulary.

Planet An astronomical body that orbits a star, is big enough to have enough gravity to force a spherical (globe) shape, and is big enough that its gravity has cleared away any objects of a similar size near its orbit.

Habitable Zone The orbital region around a star in which an Earth-like planet can possess liquid water on its surface and possibly support life.

Asteroid Belt A region in the solar system roughly located between the orbits of the planets Jupiter and Mars that contains millions of irregularly shaped pieces of rock (called asteroids) as well as ice and dust.

Gravity An attractive force between two masses by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center

3. Take a virtual field trip (in one possible future).

Click the picture below.

NASA studies exoplanets – the planets beyond our solar system – with telescopes on the ground and in space.
But they’re too far away to take pictures of, so our best idea of what they might look like comes from artists’ illustrations based on real science, like our Exoplanet Travel Bureau posters.
NASA artists have imagined what it would be like if we could visit a few of these exoplanets. They made a collection of “Exoplanet Travel Bureau” posters. Check them out by clicking the image above
Now you can have a coloring book version of the same posters!
Color in the hues of rocky terrain, lava oceans, planetary systems and more. Click the thumbnail below: