In this activity, students plan the first manned mission to Mars.
In this activity, the learner will:
- discuss, in small groups, some of the information that the group might have heard regarding the red planet.
- decide which types of occupations should be included in a crew for the mission to Mars.
- decide what supplies/conditions are needed aboard the ship for survival of the crew during their flight.
- hear a mock press release from NASA informing him/her of various aspects of Mars that are of scientific interest.
- decide what his/her group wants to learn about Mars and how they, as scientists, will pursue their goals.
National Science Education Standards
Activity 1: Discuss important information about Mars.
Activity 2: Decide what occupations will be included in the crew for the mission to Mars, and also, what supplies/conditions are needed aboard the ship for survival of the crew during their flight.
Activity 3: Answer questions about decide where to land on Mars and what experiments to run while there.
Activity 1: Concept Introduction - What Do You Know About Mars?
Activity Page One allows students to discuss, in small groups, some of the information that they might have heard regarding the red planet.
Activity 2: Planning the Mission
Activity Page Two provides students with a list of different occupations and requires them to decide which of these occupations should be included in their crew for the mission to Mars. During this section, they are also asked to reason about what supplies/conditions are needed aboard the ship for survival of the crew during their flight.
Activity 3: Where Would You Land on Mars?
After hearing the latest "NASA Press Release" informing them of various aspects of Mars that are of scientific interest, Activity Page Three lists questions that will help students decide where to land on Mars and what experiments to run while there.
