EXPLORING THE SOLAR SYSTEM: STUDENT-DESIGNED PLANETARY MISSIONS

Geology and astronomy are often two of the most popular science classes for undergraduate non-science students looking to satisfy science requirements. At Bellevue Community College we have combined Introductory Geology with Introductory Astronomy to create a 12-credit course called “Exploring of the Solar System”. This course, co-taught by an astronomy instructor and a geology instructor, satisfies two of three science requirements for students working towards an AA degree. In addition, from an instructional point of view, the solar system provides a great framework for teaching the basic concepts of geology and astronomy.

As a quarter-long project for this class, students work in small groups (“research teams”) to design a scientific mission to a planet, satellite, comet, or asteroid in the solar system (their mission “target”). Their goal is to research, design, and ultimately “pitch” their proposal to a “wealthy benefactor” who will decide which mission to fund based on accuracy of scientific planning and realistic goals. Students cannot repeat a real mission that has already been completed; however, they can use actual missions as a guideline for their own spacecraft.

The project involves several steps. Along the way each team is expected to (1) create an online reference list for their target, (2) research and summarize past missions to their target, (3) determine what we still don't know about the target, (4) decide what questions they would like to try to answer and choose what instruments they would like to include on their spacecraft in order to answer those questions, (5) “pitch” their mission to the class and “benefactor”, and (6) write up their research as a “funding proposal” (including a 1-page press release to help sell their mission). (Next year we plan to include more specific financial, weight and fuel constraints that the students must take into account when designing their mission.) In the end, students and instructors select which mission is most realistic and has the most well established scientific goals (i.e.. the one that will be funded), and the winning team is awarded a prize.

Examples of student missions can be seen at http://www.scidiv.bcc.ctc.edu/rv/solarsystem