Dwarf Planets | Science Research Project + Article #70 | Astronomy | Astrophysics

Learning about dwarf planets is important because it enhances our understanding of the formation and evolution of our solar system and planetary systems in general; dwarf planets like Pluto, Eris, and Ceres offer unique insights into the diversity of celestial bodies, their compositions, and their roles—studying them helps scientists explore processes such as planetary differentiation, atmosphere development, and potential habitability, providing valuable information about the early conditions of the solar system; understanding dwarf planets aids in refining classification criteria for celestial bodies and contributes to advancements in astronomy, planetary science, and astrobiology, ultimately deepening our knowledge of the cosmos and our place within it. Let’s learn together with this resource!

The research project template provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an project template with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. It gives a rich and supportive framework that can be tweaked as needed for students to support differentiation.

Each research project template includes space for a one paragraph summary (that may or may not link to the 2 page science article also available on this topic). Students should produce a mathematical connection, an engineering / technology connection, 2 interesting facts / stats. Further there are 5 glossary terms they should fill in with their own words and 3 thought provoking questions (ie: critical thinking questions) they must answer. Finally, each template has 3 alternative thought provoking questions for younger students and 3 other alternative harder questions to extend high flying or older students. Giving you a total of 9 possible thought provoking questions that could be used with students to enhance their research and critical thinking.

The template is some of my best work and I am proud to share it with you.

The science article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. I am very proud of this series of science articles and they are rich with information and wonder at the majesty of science. Each science article includes a fun fact(s) to add to the knowledge gained from this article. Formatted in an easy to read and digest manner, each paragraph is numbered to help with referencing and each question answer has a paragraph reference number to point to the specific information (where applicable).

WHY / WHEN TO USE:

• Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
• To extend students
• To increase scientific literacy and research skills in your class
• Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast and you need a long running task
• To inspire students on a particular topic
• As a scaffold to support students who need support on research skills and can use a framework
• To enhance critical thinking when doing research and making a relevant and interesting output
• Give a selection of these research project templates for students to choose from
• To enhance students ability to express ideas and synthesis knowledge
• To increase scientific literacy in your class
• A weekly reading / research task

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

Research Project Template

• 7 page Word doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
• 7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
• 3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
• 1 - 20 point rubric in both PDF and word form for self and teacher marking.

Science Article

• 3 page Word doc teacher version with answers
• 2 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
• 3 page PDF teacher version with answers
• 2 page PDF student version without answers (but space left to do so)

More will be coming to cover other subjects and other topics, so please do keep an eye out for more science articles from The Teaching Astrophysicist!

If you have any questions, please feel to DM me on instagram @theteachingastrophysicist

Let’s Connect! - All under the handle - The Teaching Astrophysicist

Be sure to follow my:

★ Blog

★ Instagram

★ Linkedin

★ Pinterest