1. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Making changes to a complex system.

2. Teacher Guide
This lesson is designed to teach kids to ask a critical thinking question that you can’t just put into a search box to solve. To do that, we encourage them with smaller questions that search can help them answer. Make sure that you read the notes for each slide. They not only give you teaching tips but also provide answers and hints so you can help the kids if they are having trouble.
Resources
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3. About this lesson
This lesson is designed to teach the Next Generation Science Standards’ Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and Effect, and Systems and System Models and provides a starting point for standard HS-ESS1-4
Cause and Effect - Mechanism and explanation. Events have causes, sometimes simple, sometimes multifaceted. A major activity of science is investigating and explaining causal relationships and the mechanisms by which they are mediated. Such mechanisms can then be tested across given contexts and used to predict and explain events in new contexts.
Systems and System Models - Defining the system under study—specifying its boundaries and making explicit a model of that system—provides tools for understanding and testing ideas that are applicable throughout science and engineering.
HS-ESS1-4 – Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.
Erik McFarland is a secondary science and technology teacher living east of Seattle. He has a passion for empowering students to harness technology to discover and create. Erik has done research as a teacher-researcher at both NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and University of Arizona's Biosphere 2. A graduate of Western Washington University, with a B.S in Biology and a Master's in Teaching, Erik currently teaches 8th graders science, robotics, and programming. In his spare time he makes video games and has never stopped playing with LEGO.

4. Bing in the Classroom program Resources
4/27/ :45 PM
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5. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Earth’s position, rotation, revolution, tilt, and speed all affect the conditions we experience on our home planet. Do you think we are technologically advanced enough to change any of those factors? If yes, should we?
This question is a good way to start class. You could have students write down their thoughts at the beginning of class individually and then share with either a partner, their group, or the class.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

6. 4/27/ :45 PM
Complex Systems
Earth and our Solar System are complex systems. If one factor is changed it can have far reaching effects. Imagine if we did move Earth, we would have to consider the effects on:
Weather and Climate
Ecosystems
People living at different latitudes.
Natural cycles: carbon, nitrogen, water, etc.
Politics: Would it be beneficial for all countries?
Industries and infrastructure
What are some of the consequences if we were to mess up?
We want students to consider the complex interactions involved in large scale systems. How are different systems connected? How do they depend on each other? How much change can they withstand without collapsing?
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

7. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following questions related to our big question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
These questions can be used or replaced with student generated questions that would help uncover an answer to the big question of, “Can we move Earth and what would happen if we did?” Depending on time and the amount of technology available, these questions could be approached in a number of ways. Each student, or each group of students could answer all the questions, or questions could be assigned to groups or individuals. Within groups, students could each approach a different question or perform different roles in answering each question. For example, one student could type, while others searched, and another could share their findings. Students could gather all the information they find in OneNote.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

8. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Suggestions: Use OneNote to compile your findings. You could also use Excel to organize data and make calculations. 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

9. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did?
10 minutes
The amount of time you give students here is highly dependent on how they are grouped and how you have divided the questions. 10 minutes is probably sufficient time to answer one question, but is certainly not enough time to answer all the questions.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

10. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
Use this slide and the following slides to guide a classroom discussion on the questions. Notes below each slide will provide suggestions for where to look for answers.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

11. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
Possible Resources:
Moving the Earth Using an Asteroid:
Crazy, and Some Less Crazy Ideas:
More Ideas:
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

12. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
Possible Resources:
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

13. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
Possible Resources:
the-earth-rotated-twice-as-fast-beginner
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

14. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
Possible Resources:
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

15. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Try working through the following estimates related to our question: Can we move Earth, and what would happen if we did? 1
Search
Is it possible to move Earth? Describe some of the ways it could be done. 2
Earth’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees. What would change on Earth if that angle was bigger? Smaller? 3
Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours and revolves around the sun once every days. What would happen if we sped these up? Slowed them down? Think beyond just timing – would weather and climate be affected? 4
On average, Earth is 150 million kilometers away from the sun. What is the maximum distance we would probably want to be away from the sun? Minimum distance? 5
Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical. What affect would making the orbit more elliptical have? Making the orbit more circular?
Possible Resources:
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

16. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Scenario:
You are living in a dystopian future Earth. The worst predictions about climate change have come true: the planet is several degrees warmer, sea levels have risen, droughts and food shortages are common. War and economic collapse are immanent.
You are the leader of a small political movement working to convince citizens that they must take drastic measures and move the Earth to avert this crisis.
If you’d like the project to include more mathematical problem solving, include numbers such as the rise, in degrees, of the average global temperature or the height of sea level rise.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

17. What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
4/27/ :45 PM
What Would Happen If We Could Move the Earth?
Your task is to create a propaganda poster to persuade people to support your proposition to move the Earth.
Make your proposition clear – how would you want to move the Earth to fix the current problems (tilt, distance, speed, orbital shape, etc.) What would you want to make sure to keep the same? What effects would these changes have on Earth?
Use a single PowerPoint slide to create your poster. Use Bing Images to find pictures, or draw your own if you have an Inking capable device.
Use Office Mix to record a 30 seconds or less radio ad to play with your poster. (Imagine your recording playing in the streets to people looking for a change.)
Students can work alone or in groups to create a poster. Posters could be printed and put on display. Mixes can later be shared with the rest of the class.
Examples of propaganda posters: =8-10&sp=-1&sk=
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

18. What tools can help me reach my goals?
Excel allows you to manage data, perform calculations and create graphs.
OneNote allows you to keep a digital notebook that is accessible from many devices.
Office Sway allows you combine text and media into a presentation worthy website.
Office Mix allows you to turn a PowerPoint into a video by adding voiceovers, digital drawings, and more.
© 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.