Scientists estimate that in several billion years, Earth’s sun will die out. Suppose, however, that the sun were going to gradually die out over the next 50 years. What implications do you think this would have for Earth? Prepare a presentation to Congress that discusses these implications and suggests solutions to any problems that might result from the sun’s dying. Your presentation should consist of a report supported by visual materials. You will need to consider the following questions as you prepare your report.

Questions	Chapter Number	Team Member
1. How does the Earth move in relation to the sun? Without the sun, how might we define days and years? Would we continue to have seasons? Draw a diagram to illustrate what the Earth’s movement would be with a dying sun.	2
2. What would the Earth’s atmosphere and climates be like with a dying sun? Use a climate map to present your theory as to what would happen to the Earth’s climates.	3
3. What implications would the sun’s dying have for water on Earth? Would the hydrologic cycle be affected? Would water still be able to exist in different forms? Write a paragraph discussing how the Earth’s water would be affected.	4
4. Would the sun’s dying change the landforms of Earth at all? In a chart, compare the landforms of present-day Earth to those that might exist if the sun were dying.	5
5. How would life be affected by the suns’ dying? What might be necessary to sustain life? How could humans best prepare for the sun’s dying? Make a list of specific actions the government might take to prepare for the catastrophe.	6

Organize the information you have gathered and write a summary. Present your information to Congress (the rest of the class) in the form of a PowerPoint presentation.

Each of the individual (responsibilities) parts of the project will be graded based on the expectations below. That grade will be assigned to the person who prepared the section. The project will be evaluated completely, also based on the expectations below. Each team member will share the total grade for the project. Your midterm grade will be then calculated as follows; the individual grade and the team grade will each be marked once in the “Projects” part of your Second Quarter grade. The average of those grades will be used to calculate 20% of your total second quarter average. As you can see, the midterm is a very important part of your Second Quarter grade. Your midterm project grade will be listed individually on your report card.

Project Element	Expectation	Possible Points
Question 1 (chapter 2)	Address all of the questions; answer them adequately using the text as a resource; include an appropriate diagram.	17
Question 2 (chapter 3)	Address all of the questions; answer them adequately using the text as a resource; include a climate map.	17
Question 3 (chapter 4)	Address all of the questions; answer them adequately using the text as a resource; include a diagram of the affects on the hydrologic cycle; include a paragraph.	17
Question 4 (chapter 5)	Address all of the questions; answer them adequately using the text as a resource; include illustrations of how all/any landforms might be altered.	17
Question 5 (chapter 6)	Address all of the questions; answer them adequately using the text as a resource; explain how the sun is important to the biosphere, food chain, etc.; make a list of recommendations.	17
Summary	Prepare a letter to the United States Congress that summarizes the problems that your team has predicted will result from the sun’s dying. Recommend a specific plan of action to deal with the problems.	15

Good Luck!