In this activity, students examine their concepts of a comet by designing and building a model. The goal is to have students replicate the scientific processes of observing, modeling, forming an explanation, making new observations, and revising. In this manner, students have the opportunity to emulate the experience of scientific discovery that makes science so exciting. Younger students will learn the basic characteristics of a comet. Older students will practice evaluation and improvement of their comet model. The importance of this activity is not the initial design and construction of the comet model, but rather the fact that it will provide an opportunity for students to emulate a process that scientists and engineers follow on all missions. Educational levels: Intermediate elementary, Middle school, High school, General public, Informal education
