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• Introductory Lesson: 45 minutes
• Learning Activity 1: Internet Research: 60-75 minutes
• Learning Activity 2: Making Trading Cards: 60-75 minutes
Students Is Mars really our next frontier? Why have scientists
chosen Mars to try to colonize instead of the moon, as people
once planned? What do we know about our red neighbor? Does life
exist on Mars? Is water hidden beneath the barren surface?
Does Mars have what “earthlings” need to survive within
its atmosphere?
Scientists have been studying Mars since it was first sighted
through a telescope in the 1800’s. In their perusal of the
night skies, astronomers found that certain bright objects seemed
to move through the sky on a different path than the constellations.
They called these objects “planetae” or wandering bodies.
Mars was of particular importance because of its proximity to
Earth.
In this lesson, students will use the internet to search for major
events that shaped Mars’ exploration. They will use the information
to create Mars’ Spacecraft Trading Cards, utilizing the Draw
Program on their computer.
Integrated Science, Technology, Language Arts
Students will be able to:
• Use the Internet and other reference sources to gather
information on Mars’ spacecraft.
• Record data and cite references used.
• Create a trading card displaying information learned during
research.
• Import pictures from computer libraries and the Internet
• Use information on trading cards to compare and contrast
spacecraft used and their purposes.
National Science Education Standards
http://bob.nap.edu/html/nses/html
Content Standard E: Space and Technology
• Students should develop understandings about science and
technology;
• Scientific inquiry and technological design have similarities
and differences.
• Science and technology are reciprocal.
• Perfectly designed solutions do not exist.
• Technological designs have constraints.
• Technological solutions have intended benefits and unintended
consequences.
Louisiana Science Framework:
State Standards for Curriculum Development http://www.louisianaschools.net/doe/assessment/standards/SCIENCE.pdf
ESS-M-C8: Understanding that space exploration is an active
area of scientific and technological research and development
Louisiana Language Arts Framework
http://www.louisianaschools.net/doe/assessment/standards/ENGLISH.pdf
ELA-5-E2: Locating and evaluating sources (e.g., print
materials, databases, CD-ROM references, Internet information,
electronic reference works, community and government data, television
and radio sources, audio and visual materials): (1, 3, 4, 5)
ELA-4-M2 and ELA-5-M4: Using
available technology to produce, revise, and publish a variety
of works: (1,3,4)
VIDEO:
Passport to Knowledge—Live from Mars (#105).
Can be copied from LPB’s broadcast of the episode or requested
from LPB.
WEB SITES:
Mars Exploration
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/
Covers the missions, science, and technology used to explore Mars.
Students can also access new releases on present and future missions
to Mars.
Mars Information
http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets/mars.html
Provides information that has been learned about Mars through
the missions that have gone there. Students can also learn about
the spacecraft that traveled to or by Mars.
Other Planets, Other Moons
http://www.lpb.org/opom
Students use Internet research to find information about the planets;
then can create timelines, Venn diagrams, trading cards, postcards,
spreadsheets, and travel brochures to display information.
• Computer lab or computer with Internet access
• Sample sports cards
1. Bookmark the following web sites:
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/
http://education.nasa.gov/nsip
http://www.seds.org/nineplanets/nineplanets/mars.html
http://www.lpb.org/opom
2. Print the directions for making a trading card found at the
Web site: http://www.lpb.org/opom
and make copies for all students.
3. Print the sample trading card, fold it in half, and laminate
it to use as an example.
• Visit a nearby planetarium that presents a show on the
planets.
• Visit one of NASA’s space centers to learn more about
space exploration.
• Worksheet for Web research (Worksheet 1
HTML PDF,
Worksheet 2
HTML PDF).
• Directions for making a trading card (printed from Other
Planets, Other Moons Web site).
• Sample trading card (printed from Other Planets,
Other Moons web site).
1. CUE the video to begin with the following Visual cue:
the night sky moving across a darkened landscape. Audio cue:
“In the clear skies of the past, our ancestors studies the
twinkling stars.” Provide students with a Focus for Media
Interaction by asking them to identify early forms of planetary
observation. Pause the video after the words, “The American,
Percival Lowell, imagined the canals were evidence of dying civilizations,
struggling to survive in dome cities on a desert planet. (They
should identify the use of visual observation with the eyes and
use of the telescope were the forms of early observation.)
2. Provide students with a Focus for Media Interaction by asking
them to record the names of all of the Mars spacecraft that were
sent to Mars. (Students should identify the following spacecraft
from viewing the video: Mariner 4, Mariner 9, Mars 2, 2 Viking
Landers, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Sojourner, Mars Climate Orbiter,
Mars Polar Lander, Mars Observer, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey)
3. RESUME PLAY until you have reached the end of the Mars
exploration segment. Audio Cue: “ ...and that’s
where 2001 Mars Odyssey comes in.” Visual cue: Mars
Odyssey spacecraft is approaching Mars.
4. Have students identify the names of the Mars spacecraft discussed
in the video.
5. Tell students that they will be selecting
a spacecraft to research using Internet resources. After gathering
information, they will create trading cards that illustrate what
they have learned about their spacecraft.
The purpose of this activity is to familiarize students with Web
research. Students will access Web sites preselected by the teacher
and utilize them in gathering information about a particular spacecraft
used in the exploration of Mars. Information will be recorded
on provided research worksheet (Worksheet 1). Students will be
expected to use at least two Web sites in their research and will
be expected to document use of chosen sites.
Step 1: Provide students with Worksheet
1:
“Exploration of Mars Using the ___________ Spacecraft”
Step 2: Review procedure for using
the Internet to research information.
A. Explain to students how to use Favorites or Bookmarks to find
preselected web sites.
B. Explain how to follow links within each site by selecting the
desired link; and how to return to a previous link by using the
words at the top of the screen that say Go or Back.
C. Display on the board the proper way to identify web sites that
were used in gathering information.
Example: 2001 Mars Odyssey—GRS http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/odyssey/technology/grs.html
D. Caution students about going to sites that are not directly
linked to preselected web sites.
E. Students should record any new web sites that are actually
used to gather information. Links that are used to move students
from one site to the next without actually containing necessary
information should not be recorded.
Step 3: Students should record
information on the Web Research Worksheet (provided).
MAKING TRADING CARDS
Students will create a trading card about one of the Mars’
spacecraft by following written directions provided at the following
web site:
http://www.lpb.org/opom
Begin the activity by passing around some sports trading cards.
Have students study them to determine what type of information
is included on each.
(Students should mention that vital
statistics of the ball players are listed, important accomplishments,
rankings, etc.)
Tell students that they will be
creating their own trading cards show casing Mars’ spacecraft
and their significance in Mars exploration. Ask students to list
some important information about the spacecraft that they think
should be on the trading cards. Record all suggestions, then discuss
the merits of each. If needed, a worksheet has been provided to
guide research (Worksheet 1 HTML PDF
)
1. Access the Web site Other
Planets, Other Moons by selecting it from the Bookmarks
or Favorites link on the menu at the top of the screen or
by typing in the URL:
http://www.lpb.org/opom.
2. Select the lesson “Making
Trading Cards” from the main page. Print the directions and
the sample postcard (or use the one provided by the teacher).
3. Open the Draw program on the
computer. Follow the written directions provided and your research
to create a trading card. Directions for importing pictures can
be found at the “Creating a Timeline” or “Making
a Postcard” sites, accessed through Other Planets,
Other Moons.
4. Print, fold, and laminate trading
cards.
5. Share with classmates.
MATH: Students can use the dates of launch that are recorded
on cards to create math problems for other students to solve.
Example: How many years passed from the first Mars mission to
the one that is currently taking place? Using facts listed on
trading cards, the teacher can create word problems for students
to solve. Students can check each others’ answers for accuracy.
LANGUAGE ARTS: Students
can use the information gathered during the research activity
to write a report, using a word processing program.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Research
to find information about early astronomers in Greece and Rome,
and how their discoveries helped spur future exploration of Mars.
TECHNOLOGY: Use the suggested
technology ideas in Other Planets, Other Moons such as: Making
a Postcard or Making a Venn Diagram on the Computer.
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY:
Research the exploration of other planets and compare the type
of technology needed in their exploration. Compare to the history
of Mars’ exploration. Discuss similarities and differences
and possible reasons for different technologies aboard each spacecraft.
• Visit a nearby planetarium that presents a show on the
planets.
• Visit one of NASA’s space centers to learn more about
space exploration.
• Worksheet for Web research (Worksheet 1
HTML PDF,
Worksheet 2 HTML PDF).
• Directions for making a trading card (printed from Other
Planets, Other Moons Web site).
• Sample trading card (printed from Other Planets,
Other Moons web site).
