Download Lesson Plan for "Our Solar System: Exploring Mars"

Our Solar System: Exploring Mars
Title:
Our Solar System: Exploring Mars
Objectives:
 It has been discovered that Mars and Earth have several similar geological
features.
 Similar geological features may be useful for supporting life on both planets.
Materials
APT Videos
Grade Levels:
4th and 5th Grades
Engage Part:
Watch the APT video, Our Solar System: Exploring Mars.
Discuss:
Scientists use telescopes to look at objects in space.
You can use the telescope tips listed at this website:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/basics/How_to_Start_Right_in_Astronomy.html
Procedure:
Comparing Earth and Mars
 Tell students that they are going to compare Earth and Mars to find similarities
between the two planets. Have them begin by doing research to find
information and collect pictures of geological features of both planets. They
should start their research at the following Web sites:
o NASA: All about Mars
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/extreme/
o NASA: Earth Observatory http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/

Instruct students to download and print pictures of geological features and
formations on Earth and Mars. They can also find pictures in text references and
photocopy them.

Have students post pairs of pictures of Earth and Mars side-by-side on a bulletin
board in order to compare similar geological features and formations shared by
both planets.

For each pair of pictures, students should identify the planet in each picture and
write short descriptions of the geological features being compared. Students
should do further research to include in their descriptions explanations of how the
feature was probably formed and of how the feature may be useful for
supporting life on both planets.
Additional Mars Activities:
Make a Mars Rover
 Have students raid the recycling bin, the trash can and the bottoms of their
closets for items to make a Mars Rover model. They can also head outside and
find rocks, sticks, acorns or other seeds.
1
www.aptplus.org
Our Solar System: Exploring Mars

Provide them with sheets of aluminum foil for the solar panel.

Show pictures of the rover (see list of websites below) and see how close they
can come to making a model with found items that looks like the rover.

Another option is to make an edible Rover model. Provide students with crackers,
round cookies, small candy wafers, marshmallows, candy bars, frosting and gum
drops. Make the models and then take pictures before feasting on the results.
Websites for images:
 MiRISE: http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/
 HiRISE: http://hisrise.lpl.arizona.edu/
 HiBlog: http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/HiBlog
 HiRISE on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/hirise
 Suggest an image on HiWish: http://www.uahirise.org/hiwish/
 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/mro
 NASA’s Mars Exploration Program: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/
 University of Arizona Phoenix site: http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/mission.php
 Phoenix Mars lander press releases:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/phoenix/news.php
 NASA’s Mars Exploration Program site: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/
Course of Study:
Science (2004)
Grade 4
8.) Identify technological advances and other benefits of space exploration.
8a.) Listing highlights of space exploration, including satellites, manned moon missions,
the unmanned Mars mission, and an inhabited space station
Grade 5
11.) Compare distances from the sun to planets in our solar system.
11a.) Relating the size of Earth to the size of other planets in our solar system
11b.) Identifying technology used to study planets
Examples: Hubble telescope, space probes, Mars Exploration Rover
Author:
Alabama Public Television
Last Update:
November 21, 2011
2
www.aptplus.org