Expedition Commander Guide Mission Briefing
Project Aether: Proxima-7 Expedition
CODE: ALPHA-7-TAXON
DATE: 01.17.2026
Expedition Overview
Welcome, Commander. You have been selected for the most important biological survey in history. We have landed on Proxima-7 , a moon orbiting a gas giant. Initial scans show a thriving biosphere with life forms that defy standard Earth-based categories.
Your mission is to catalog these specimens using the Principles of Taxonomy . Before we can understand how this ecosystem functions, we must first know what lives here and how these organisms are related to one another.
Primary Objectives
Observe: Identify unique anatomical structures and behaviors of each specimen.Categorize: Group organisms based on shared physical traits (morphology).Document: Create accurate sketches and logs for the "Encyclopedia Exoplaneta".
The "Storm" Protocol
Our atmospheric sensors detect a massive ion storm approaching. You have limited time to gather data.
Mission Duration
45 MINUTES
Rules of Scientific Observation
No Assumptions
Record only what you see. Don't assume a "wing" works like an Earth bird's wing.
Precision Matters
Note exact counts of limbs, eyes, and sensory organs.
Collaborate
Discuss findings with your crew to ensure consensus on traits.
UN-GALACTIC BIOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION
"To classify is to understand."
Specimen Observation Journal Worksheet Field Observation Log
Project Aether // Proxima-7
CADET NAME:
CREW UNIT:
Specimen Alpha-1
TEMPORARY ID REQUIRED
Visual Documentation (Sketch below)
Symmetry & Form
Radial
Bilateral
Segmented
Amorphous
Appendages
Total Count / Type:
Key Features
Sensory organs, texture, coloration:
Specimen Alpha-2
TEMPORARY ID REQUIRED
Visual Documentation (Sketch below)
Symmetry & Form
Radial
Bilateral
Segmented
Amorphous
Appendages
Total Count / Type:
Key Features
Sensory organs, texture, coloration:
Proxima Briefing Slides Presentation Mission Briefing
Expedition Proxima-7
Classification in the New Frontier
SYSTEMS ONLINE // TAXONOMY READY
The Taxonomy Challenge
Scientists estimate there are over 8.7 million species on Earth. On Proxima-7, we have found hundreds in just one day.
"If we don't name it and classify it, we can't study it."
How do we Group Life?
Genetics
Comparing DNA sequences to find common ancestors.
Morphology
Comparing physical structures (limbs, scales, eyes).
Behavior
Comparing how they move, eat, and reproduce.
TODAY'S FOCUS: MORPHOLOGY (Physical Traits)
Observer Training
To classify Proxima-7 life, you must look beyond "It looks like a dog."
1
Count Everything
How many appendages? How many eyes? Is it segmented?
2
Note Texture
Smooth, slimy, exoskeleton, or fur-like filaments?
3
Symmetry
Bilateral (two halves) or Radial (circle)?
Specimen Visualization Space
The Mission Goal
By the end of today, you will have a Field Log of at least three species. This log will be the foundation for the "Encyclopedia Exoplaneta."
Draw
Observe
Catalog
Alien Anatomy Sorting Cards Resource Alien Anatomy Cards
Specimen Catalog: Proxima-7 // Batch Alpha
PRINT & CUT ALONG DASHED LINES
ALPHA-001 "The Float-Orb"
SYMMETRY: RADIAL
Description: A spherical organism with a translucent outer membrane. Lacks limbs but possesses 12 stinging filaments hanging from its base.
Eyes: 8 (Photosensitive dots)
Feeding: Absorption
Movement: Gas Buoyancy
ALPHA-002 "Hexa-Strider"
SYMMETRY: BILATERAL
Description: Segmented body with a hard, metallic-looking exoskeleton. Six jointed legs ending in suction cups. Two long antennae.
Eyes: 2 Compound
Feeding: Mandibles (Chewing)
Movement: Terrestrial (Walking)
ALPHA-003 "Slime-Crawler"
SYMMETRY: ASYMMETRICAL
Description: Amorphous, gelatinous blob. Changes shape to navigate crevices. Leaves a bioluminescent trail. No visible skeletal structure.
Eyes: None (Chemical sensors)
Feeding: Engulfment
Movement: Pulsing/Sliding
ALPHA-004 "Sky-Dart"
SYMMETRY: BILATERAL
Description: Streamlined, feathered body with four wing-like appendages. Large forward-facing eyes. Hollow bones detected via scan.
Eyes: 2 (Highly focused)
Feeding: Beak-like probe
Movement: Aerial (Flight)
Taxonomic Rank Slides Presentation The Hierarchy of Life
Lesson 2: Organizing the Chaos
The Ladder of Taxonomy
DOMAIN Eukarya
KINGDOM Animalia
PHYLUM Chordata
CLASS Mammalia
...and so on
Broad
Specific
Why Group Them?
Taxonomy isn't just about naming; it's about Evolutionary Relationships .
Homologous Traits
Structures that are similar because they were inherited from a common ancestor. (e.g., Human arm and Whale flipper bones).
Analogous Traits
Structures that look similar but evolved separately. (e.g., Insect wings and Bird wings).
Proxima-7 Challenges
The "Exo-Insect"
It has 6 legs like an insect, but its heart is on its back and it breathes through its tail. Does it belong in Class: Insecta?
The "Slime-Mold"
It moves like an animal but feeds by breaking down rotting debris like a fungus. Which Kingdom?
YOU are the Taxonomists.
You must justify your choices.
Sorting Mission
1
Review your 4 Specimen Cards.
2
Group specimens with shared physical traits .
3
Propose a Kingdom and Phylum for each group.
4
Complete the Classification Logic Sheet .
Classification Logic Worksheet Worksheet Classification Logic Sheet
Project Aether // Taxonomy Division
Cadet:
Task: Analyze your specimen cards. Group specimens that share significant morphological traits. For each group, determine their taxonomic placement. If a specimen does not fit any Earth-based category, you must propose a NEW category and justify it.
Group A: [Propose Group Name]
Included Specimens (IDs):
Key Shared Traits:
Taxonomic Placement
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Scientific Justification:
Why do these organisms belong together? What trait defines this group?
The "Anomaly" Analysis
Select one specimen that was difficult to classify. Why did it defy easy categorization?
Sketch Trait
Specimen ID:
The Conflict:
(e.g., "Has traits of Phylum X but also Kingdom Y")
Consensus Required for Level 3 Promotion
Latin Greek Root Bank Resource Alien Etymology Bank
Binomial Nomenclature Registry // Roots & Origins
Rules of the Scientific Name
Rule 1: Always two parts (Genus + species).
Rule 2: Genus is ALWAYS capitalized.
Rule 3: species is always lowercase.
Rule 4: Always Italicized or Underlined.
Descriptive Roots
Root Meaning Aether- Sky / Air Chloro- Green Cryo- Ice / Cold Derm- Skin / Surface Gastro- Stomach / Belly Hexa- Six Litho- Stone / Rock Macro- Large / Giant Micro- Tiny / Small Morpho- Shape / Form Nocto- Night / Dark Pod- Foot / Limb Ptero- Wing / Feather Soma- Body Xeno- Strange / Alien
Behavior & Action
Root Meaning -cola Dweller / Lives in -vorous Eating / Consuming -phile Lover of -phobe Fear of / Repelled by -itis Inflamed / Glowing -opsis Appearance of -naut Traveler
Example Formulation:
Litho
cola
=
Lithocola
"Rock-dweller" (A perfect Genus name!)
AUTHORIZED REFERENCE MATERIAL DO NOT REMOVE FROM LAB
Naming Rules Slides Presentation The Naming Rite
Binomial Nomenclature on Proxima-7
What's in a Name?
"Common names are confusing. A 'Starfish' isn't a fish. A 'Sea Lion' isn't a lion."
Scientific names provide a Universal Language for scientists everywhere—whether they are on Earth or the other side of the galaxy.
Homo sapiens
One name. One species. Total clarity.
The Golden Rules
1
Two-Part Identity
Genus + species. Like a Last Name and a First Name, but backwards.
2
Capitalization
The Genus is Capitalized . The species is lowercase .
3
Italics / Underline
To show it's a scientific name, it must be italicized (when typed) or underlined (when written).
4
Latin Roots
We use Latin/Greek roots because they are dead languages—they don't change over time!
Anatomy of an Alien Name
Aethero
Root 1: Sky
naut
Root 2: Traveler
=
Aetheronaut
The Genus
Full Species Name:
Aetheronaut hexapod
"The Six-Legged Sky-Traveler"
The Workshop is Open
Use your Root Bank to name your four species. Remember: The name should describe the organism!
Checklist:
Genus capitalized? / species lowercase? / Roots make sense?
Official Species Registry Worksheet Official Species Registry
Galactic Taxonomy Commission // Proxima-7 Division
Taxonomist:
Instructions: For each specimen in your collection, propose an official scientific name. You must explain the etymology (the roots used) and why the name is appropriate based on the organism's morphology.
Registry Entry #01
FORM: GTC-X7-ALPHA
Proposed Scientific Name (Genus species):
Etymology Breakdown:
Root 1 + Meaning
Root 2 + Meaning
Descriptive Justification:
How does the name match the physical traits?
Reference Sketch
Registry Entry #02
Proposed Scientific Name (Genus species):
Etymology Breakdown:
Root 1 + Meaning
Root 2 + Meaning
Descriptive Justification:
Reference Sketch
AUTHORIZED BY THE GALACTIC TAXONOMY COMMISSION
Scientific Conference Slides Presentation Global Scientific Summit
The Proxima-7 Symposium
"Defending the Tree of Life"
What is Peer Review?
Science isn't true just because one person says it is. It must be scrutinized , tested , and validated by other experts.
The Goal:
To reach a consensus on how these organisms fit into our understanding of life.
Check Accuracy
Did they miss a trait? Is the name formatted correctly?
Challenge Logic
Does that organism REALLY belong in that Kingdom?
Constructive Critique
The Affirmation
"I agree with your placement in Phylum [X] because I also noticed the segmented body."
The Challenge
"I see why you chose [Name], but have you considered [Trait] which might place it elsewhere?"
The Correction
"Check your nomenclature! Remember that the species name must be lowercase."
Symposium Protocol
1
Present your most controversial specimen and your naming choice.
2
The "Fellow Scientists" ask two clarifying questions.
3
Peers complete the Reviewer Feedback Form .
The Goal: Consensus
At the end of this summit, we should have a shared understanding of how to classify life on Proxima-7.
Let the Symposium Begin!
Peer Review Feedback Form Worksheet Peer Review Feedback Form
Galactic Symposium // Peer Assessment Division
DOCUMENT: SYMP-2026-PR
PRESENTER:
REVIEWER:
Part 1: Classification Logic
Score (1-5):
Did the presenter justify their choice of Kingdom and Phylum using visible traits from the specimen cards?
Feedback/Evidence:
Part 2: Binomial Nomenclature
Score (1-5):
Genus Capitalized
species lowercase
Italicized/Underlined
Etymology makes sense
Nomenclature Notes:
Part 3: Final Consensus
As a fellow scientist, do you VALIDATE their classification system?
YES
YES, WITH CORRECTIONS
NO, REQUIRES REVISION
One question or suggestion for the presenter:
SCIENTIFIC RIGOR // UNIVERSAL STANDARDS
Field Guide Entry Template Worksheet Final Submission // Project Aether
Encyclopedia Exoplaneta
Specimen Field Guide Entry
Illustrate Specimen Here
(Pencil or Ink Drawing Preferred)
Scientific Name
Taxonomic Rank
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Genus
Distinguishing Trait
Morphological Observations
Anatomy & Structure
Habitat & Behavior
Evolutionary Justification
Explain the reasoning behind this classification. Why does this organism fit into its assigned Phylum or Class?
AETHER
VERIFIED BY PEER REVIEW
STAMP: 44-X-TAXON
DATE OF PUBLICATION
01.17.2026
Publishing Rubric Teacher Resource Project Rubric
Encyclopedia Exoplaneta // Assessment Guidelines
Final Assessment Overview
Students will be assessed on their ability to apply the principles of taxonomy and binomial nomenclature to their "Encyclopedia Exoplaneta" entry. A successful project demonstrates scientific accuracy, clear justification, and professional communication.
Criterion Expert (4) Proficient (3) Developing (1-2) Scientific Observation Detailed sketches include all morphological traits; observations are specific and objective. Sketches show clear traits; observations are mostly specific with minor generalities. Sketches lack detail; observations are vague or based on assumptions. Taxonomic Logic Placement in Kingdom/Phylum/Class is logically justified based on shared traits with existing groups. Placement is mostly logical; justification explains some shared traits but lacks depth. Placement seems random or lacks any morphological justification. Nomenclature Rules followed perfectly (Genus cap, species low, italics/under). Etymology is accurate and descriptive. Most rules followed; etymology is mostly accurate with one minor formatting error. Multiple formatting errors (e.g., lowercase Genus); name does not match traits. Peer Review & Polish Incorporated peer feedback into final entry; document is professional and complete. Some peer feedback incorporated; document is neat and mostly complete. Ignored peer feedback; document is messy or missing key components.
Commission Final Verdict
Total Score:
/ 16
Commendations:
Directives for Next Mission:
End of Mission Report // Proxima-7
