Our Solar System... and Beyond

 

Online

 

NASA - Solar System - NASA's official site with pictures and information about the various planets and explorations

 

Earth/Moon Viewer - Detailed images, including coordinates, of the Earth and its moon.     

 

How Stuff Works - The Space Channel - Get all kinds of information in an easy-to-read format.

 

Exploring the Planets - Pictures and information about the solar system.

 

What If... Moon Colony - What does it take to live off the Earth?  Here's a scenario to look at. 

 

What is a Planet? - From Cornell University, this is an excellent site that explains what makes a planet a planet.  There are graphs here, as well as the International Astronomical Union's official definition of a planet.

 

Internation Astronomical Union - The scientific community that discusses the science of Astronomy.  It was also the group that decided that Pluto was NOT a planet.

 

The Nine Planets Solar System Tour - Pictures, images, videos, and tons of information about all eight planets and the other things that inhabit the solar system.

 

Your Weight on Other Worlds - While a fun way to see how much you weigh on other planets and objects in the galaxy, it also has a detailed explanation of WHY your weight is different.

 

Your Age on Other Worlds - You can find out how old you are on Pluto, while also finding out why!

 

Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval Observatory - Has thorough data and explanations about facts and phenomena.

 

Galileo Project Home - Give you information about the Galileo Project that went to Jupiter, but some information may be out of date so verify your data!

 

Solar Views - GREAT PICTURES!

 

In the Library Media Center

 

Scott, Elaine. When is a Planet Not a Planet?: The Story of Pluto. New York: Clarion Books, 2007.

 

Sparrow, Giles (Ed.). The Solar System: Exploring Planets and Their Moons from Mercury to Pluto and Beyond. San Diego: Thunder Bay Press, 2006.

 

Turiel, Isaac. How Do We Know the Size of the Solar System. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc, 2001.

 

VanCleave, Janice. Janice VanCleave's Solar System: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.

 

Weintraub, David A.. Is Pluto a Planet?: A Historical Journey through the Solar System. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007.

 

OWL - The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue has excellent resources and techniques for writing most basic essays, including Persuasive.

 

Citation Machine - Use this to help you make your bibliography for the assignment.  Make sure to select the MLA Format.

 

 

 

 

 

 Portions, Servings, and the Evolution of Packaging

 

 

 

Over the past few decades of pre-packaged and fast food, advertisers have worked to convince people to buy the products they sell.  Sometimes they do this by making changing the images on the package.  Other times they try to lure consumers with the idea that bigger is better.

 

Portion Size IQ - Do you know how much you're really eating when you eat out or buy pre-packaged meals?  Take this short quiz to find out.

 

Calorie King - Sponsored by the Family Health Network, this site can give you an idea about the calories and carbohydrates in some pre-packaged foods and drinks.

 

Nutrition Fact Sheets  - EatRight.org is sponsored by the American Dietetic Association.  Links here will give you articles and information about good nutrition at home and when eating out.

 

The New Food Pyramid! - Get all the information you need to know about the new food pyramid that was released in 2005.

 

Portion Size Estimates - from the University of Utah, Metabolic Clinic - here is a glance at how to estimate portion sizes.  You can also go HERE to get something similar from the UIC at Illinois Department of Disability and Human Development.