Middle School Grade
Project
1 week
MS-ESS1-1
MS-ESS1-1
Effective Communication
1-pager
Question
Question
Students will encounter a puzzling lunar phase prediction scenario, generate focused investigable questions about predicting the Moon’s appearance on a future date, and develop a clear research question with a hypothesis and rationale to guide their week-long investigation.
Day 1
Design
Design
Students will design a systematic investigation plan to predict the Moon’s phase on a specific future date by aligning their research question with an appropriate methodology, identifying variables and data sources, and creating a detailed, peer-reviewed data collection protocol before gathering evidence.
Day 2
Conclude
Conclude
Students will finalize evidence-based conclusions about their Moon phase prediction investigations, explicitly acknowledge limitations, generate new investigable questions, and present their full investigation—from question to model-based explanation—to an authentic audience during a culminating showcase.
Day 5
Question
Days 1–1
Day 1
Design
Days 2–2
Day 2
Collect
Days 3–3
Day 3
Analyze
Days 4–4
Day 4
Conclude
Days 5–5
July 2026
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
20
Day 1
Question
📝 Research Question & Hypothesis Entry
📝 Research Question & Hypothesis Entry
🛰 Earth-Sun-Moon Position Workshop
🛰 Earth-Sun-Moon Position Workshop
❓ From Wonderings to Research Questions
❓ From Wonderings to Research Questions
🌕 Moonwatch Data Mystery
🌕 Moonwatch Data Mystery
21
Day 2
Design
🧭 Matching Questions to Methods
🧭 Matching Questions to Methods
🌍 Variables in the Earth–Moon Model
🌍 Variables in the Earth–Moon Model
📝 Lunar Investigation Design Plan
📝 Lunar Investigation Design Plan
🔍 Peer Review of Methodology Plans
🔍 Peer Review of Methodology Plans
22
Day 3
Collect
🌙 Lunar Journal Field Entry
🌙 Lunar Journal Field Entry
🛰️ Planetarium Data Capture Session
🛰️ Planetarium Data Capture Session
🔦 Waxing & Waning Model Check
🔦 Waxing & Waning Model Check
✅ Methodology & Data Quality Gate
✅ Methodology & Data Quality Gate
23
Day 4
Analyze
📊 Visualizing Lunar Phase Data
📊 Visualizing Lunar Phase Data
🌒 Pattern & Anomaly Hunt
🌒 Pattern & Anomaly Hunt
🗣️ Evidence Roundtable Discussion
🗣️ Evidence Roundtable Discussion
📝 Preliminary Findings Summary
📝 Preliminary Findings Summary
24
Day 5
Conclude
🧠 Evidence to Conclusion Workshop
🧠 Evidence to Conclusion Workshop
⚠️ Limitations & New Questions Lab
⚠️ Limitations & New Questions Lab
🎤 Moon Science Festival Presentation
🎤 Moon Science Festival Presentation