The Process:
In your group of four, each member is to select one of the following roles:

	1. Meteor Madness Shower Specialist: Our next party will be coming soon: The Leonids. Be ready to provide information about the Leonids! How many meteors were seen in the Leonid Storms of 1899, 1933, 1966, and 1999. Draw a picture of the orbit of the originating comet for us so we can see why the Leonids are expected to peak in November.
	2. The Meteor Madness Party Host: This person will look for meteor shower events and suggest a list of things to bring to your Meteor Madness Party, such as:
	a. The proper equipment, skills, and techniques for viewing meteor showers. Can you see them with just your eyes? Should we bring a flashlight? b. Explore the skills necessary to see meteor showers. Your party guests are going to ask you "Where in all the dark madness of the night sky do I look for these meteors?" What's this about "dark adjusting"? c. You are the host of the Meteor Madness Party ! What supplies will you need for your guests? Food? Seeing Devices? Clothing? Should we sleep before or after the shower?
	3. Meteor Madness History & Mystery Reader: The Mystery Reader will research histories and mysteries that are connected with meteor showers. Discover if the mysteries are fact, or coincidental fiction. Then be ready to tell these stories and have your guests decide if they are fact or fiction!  Try this Meteor singing rhyme to help your guests remember the difference between meteors, shooting stars, and meteorites. The Meteor Song : The tune is very basic.  1-2, 1-2
	A shooting star is not a star, it's not a star at all. (pause) A shooting star is a meteor that's heading for a fall. A shooting star,     a meteor, whichever name you like!   (pause, upbeat) The minute it comes down to earth, it's called a meteorite!
	Make it a rock & roll tune, rap, country, or any other type of rhythm.  Have your guests come up with their own rhymes, or songs about meteors or the Leonid Storm!
	4. Meteor Madness Party Planner: You are our planner for future Meteor Madness Parties! Discover at least six more meteor showers that occur throughout the year. Provide their names, dates when they can be seen, their peak years, and comet origins. Plot six them on a calendar for us! Some of these include the "Orionids"; "Perseids"; and many others.

Resources:
1.  Several books in the classroom about Meteors.
2.  1999 Odyssey Magazine.
3.  Also, search the following websites for information:

	Comet Website: http://comets.amsmeteors.org
	International Meteor Organization: http://www.imo.net
	Leonids Live website: http://www.leonidslive.com
	Leonid Meteor Website: http://www.leonid.org
	Sky & Telescope Magazine: http://www.skypub.com See any features on the Leonids or other Meteor Showers, plus the current November 2001 Issue has an article on the Leonids.

Evaluation:

           Here's what each of you in your group will be graded on:

All roles will require a written report.
These reports are to be grammatically correct and without spelling errors.
Each report should thoroughly, sufficiently, and completely discuss the following (according to your role):

	The Meteor Madness Shower Specialist:
	Draw a picture of the orbit of the originating comet.
	Discuss what happened in the shower years 1899, 1933, 1966, and 1999.
	How many meteors were seen during 1899, 1933, 1966, and 1999 ?
	What area of the world did people see them 1899, 1933, 1966, and 1999?
	Why do they appear every 33 years?

	The Meteor Madness Party Host:
	Where in the night sky should people look for them?
	List the proper equipment necessary to see meteor showers in the sky.
	List the skills necessary to see meteor showers.
	List supplies will you need for your guests? Food? Seeing Devices? Clothing?
	Discuss proper rest periods for meteor viewing.

	Meteor Madness History & Mystery Reader:
	Discuss the history of the Leonids!
	Research mysteries that are connected with meteor showers.
	Discuss the evidence of these incidents. Were they a direct result of the shower?
	Did they just happen to occur at the same time as the incident?
	Lead your guests into the Meteor Song, or create new songs, rhymes, or poems!

	Meteor Madness Party Planner:
	What day(s) of what month should we look for this year's Leonid Meteor Shower?
	What time of night should people look for them?
	Discover at least six more meteor showers that occur throughout the year.
	Provide their names, dates when they can be seen, their peak years, and comet origins.
	Plot six of them on a calendar.

Presentation:

Each group will present their version of a Meteor Madness Party.
The presentation will be judged by their peers based upon the following criteria scale:

	1. Meteor Madness Shower Specialist has the most information on the Leonid Meteor Storm. Disagree  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 Strongly Agree
	2. Meteor Madness Party Host has much information on the proper equipment, skills, and techniques for viewing meteors. Disagree  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 Strongly Agree
	3. Meteor Madness History & Mystery Reader had the most interesting and intriguing information on the incidents involved with meteor showers. The Mystery Reader led us into songs or rhymes that helped us learn more about meteor storms. Disagree  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 Strongly Agree
	4. Meteor Madness Party Planner had the best plan for future Meteor Madness Parties. Disagree  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 Strongly Agree

Going Further:

Now that you know how, plan your very own real Meteor Madness Party with some friends !!!

Page Creator & Updater: Jerry Clemens
7th Grade Science Teacher at Lake Zurich Middle School North
See our: Seventh Grade Science Website!
Sponsor: Mr. K.
Webmaster: Mrs. Schwartz
Originally Created: October 1, 1999
Last Update:  May, 2005
Lake Zurich School District 95
See our: LZ95 WebQuest Page (in district access only)