Areology course - space advocacy project

Areology Project: Space Advocacy Campaign Alternate Assessment Option Total Points: 85 Overview Select a topic from the list of suggested issues below and create a public-facing advocacy product designed to persuade a specific audience to support your position. Your product should be grounded in scientific evidence and clearly communicate why your audience should care about this issue. Learning Objectives By completing this project, you will: Explain the scientific rationale behind a Mars exploration or space policy issue Evaluate competing perspectives using credible evidence Communicate a science-informed argument to a non-expert audience Demonstrate understanding of how science intersects with public policy Milestones & Deliverables Step 1 — Topic Proposal | April 10th | 10 pts Submit a 1-page proposal that includes: Your chosen topic (selected from the list below) Your specific advocacy position — take a clear stance (e.g., "Congress should increase funding for Mars sample return") Your target audience (e.g., general public, registered voters, a specific congressional representative) Your chosen product format (see Format Options below) Graded on: clarity of your position, appropriateness of your chosen audience, and feasibility of your chosen format within the timeframe. Step 2 — Instructor Conference | April 20th – 24th | Pass/Fail Schedule and attend a 15-minute one-on-one conference with the instructor before submitting your Research Summary. Come prepared to: Summarize your topic and advocacy position in your own words Explain who your target audience is and why that audience matters for this issue Identify the key scientific concept(s) at the core of your argument Describe at least one source you have already found and what it contributes to your argument Articulate the strongest counterargument to your position and how you plan to address it This conversation is not a quiz — it is a chance to get early feedback and make sure you are set up for success. You must complete this conference before submitting your Research Summary. Failure to attend will prevent you from submitting Step 3. Step 3 — Research Summary | April 24th | 20 pts Submit a 2–3 page annotated bibliography and research summary that includes: At least 4 credible sources (e.g., NASA reports, peer-reviewed articles, Congressional Budget Office data, academic books) A summary of the key scientific evidence supporting your position A brief but genuine engagement with at least one counterargument Graded on: source quality and credibility, accuracy of scientific content, and honest engagement with the counterargument. Step 4 — Final Advocacy Product | May 8th | 40 pts Submit your polished final advocacy product in your chosen format. See the Format Options and Rubric sections below for full requirements. Step 5 — Reflection | May 8th | 15 pts Submit a 1-page written reflection addressing the following questions: What scientific concept is most central to your argument, and how confident are you in the evidence? What was the hardest part of translating science for your audience? Did your own opinion on the issue change at any point through this process? Graded on: depth of self-reflection and honest engagement with scientific uncertainty. Format Options Choose one of the following formats. If you would like to propose a different format, pitch it in your Step 1 proposal for instructor approval. Final Product Rubric (40 pts) Total: 40 pts — 4 criteria weighted as shown above. Multiply each score (1–4) by the weight indicated. Suggested Topics Select one topic from the list below. Each topic is framed as an open question — your job is to take a clear position and argue for it. Topics span scientific, ethical, legal, and political dimensions of Mars exploration and space policy. Point Summary