1. Strange New Planet Learning Objectives: Participants will:
In this simulation of space exploration, participants conduct missions to a “planet” and communicate their discoveries to their team.
Goal: participants learn about the different stages of planetary exploration, while using communication and collaboration skills.
Learning Objectives: Participants will:
Make inferences from observations
Communicate their observations, inferences, and resulting questions to their team
Model the progression of space exploration missions

2. Strange New Planet Preparing the “Planets”
Use a large (4”-8”) Styrofoam ball as the base
A strong magnet (such as a cow magnet) could be inserted if campers will examine the planet’s magnetic field
Use modeling clay in a variety of colors to depict features
Planet surface features such as clouds, craters, ice caps, and volcanoes can be created or added using clay, cotton balls, gauze, toothpicks, and other craft materials
Decorate the planet with beads, stickers, sequins, candy, marbles, scents (optional), etc., to make the object interesting to observe
Optional “life” samples can be added, such as whole cloves or small edible green leaves (i.e. thyme), candies, etc.
A grape “moon” could be attached with toothpicks

3. Strange New Planet
Participants work in small groups (3 to 6 campers in each group). They take turns being the observer, who communicates what they see to the others in their group.
Groups explore one or more new “planets” as if they are looking through a telescope from Earth or traveling to the planet as a space probe, orbiter, or sample return mission.

4. Strange New Planet
For each step, the observers return to report their observations to their team.
The team needs to develop hypotheses and new questions about one of the planets that will justify “funding” the next mission.

5. Strange New Planet Steps (give the observers them 10 to 20 seconds)
For telescopes on Earth: the observers look through a paper towel tube with blue cellophane covering it, about 30 feet away from the “planets” while everyone else looks away.
Telescopes above the atmosphere: repeat without the cellophane.
Fly-by: the observers walk past one side of the “planets” looking through the paper towel tubes
Orbiter: the observers walk around just one of the “planets” looking through the tubes
Return Sample Mission: the observers remove one tiny piece of one planet for further analysis

6. Strange New Planet Possible Modifications
Participants could use technology such as cameras or cell phones to record data
Participants could use a compass to study the planet magnetic field
A laser thermometer could measure the planet’s temperature
The planets could rotate between observations
The planets could orbit each other
The different stages of this activity could be spread apart, with other presentations and activities between each
Participants may decide to hold a “conference” to share and discuss their findings
Participants may decide to collaborate, with different groups examining different features of the planets
Pairs of participants can observe separate planets, approaching them closer for each stage, and report their observations to each other on walkie-talkies