Mission to Mars
Computer Resources

Software:
Mars VE: The Virtual Exploration Mission

Internet:
Mars Millenium Project
Planet Settlement
Cool Tools for Mars

About Mars VE: The Virtual Exploration Mission
NASA
Mac/Windows 3.1/Windows 95
Cost
 Mars VE: The Virtual Exploration Mission $
$5.00 order from NASA CORE http://spacelink.nasa.gov/CORE
Time 4+ hours
Content Life Science:
  • Space Science
    • Life Skills
  • Problem Solving
  • Computer and internet skills
  • Cooperation
  • Critical Thinking
    • Age Level
  • Grades 5-8
    • Setting

    Software--Youth can work on software individually or as a team, at program setting or from home. Software activity can be done in conjunction with other hands-on activities and internet search if limited numbers of computers are available.

    Activities--should be done as teams. Activities can be used for after school program over several weeks or can be combined with other aerospace activities to become a day or residential camp.

    *Do

    Introduction Activity-Mars Survival Kits

    Activity-Collect information about Mars using the internet. Teams should prepare a poster that has at least 10 important Mars facts. Potential sites for collecting Mars information:    

  • Above the Blue Horizon, site for space graphics    
  • CNN-Space Exploration Gallery    
  • Exploring the Universe    
  • Latest Mars Exploration Images    
  • Mars Direct Home Page    
  • The Mars Society    
  • Planet Mars    
  • Views of the Solar System    
  • Windows on the Universe

    Software-Mars VE: The Virtual Exploration. Youth in teams are assigned a research category in which they will virtually explore four Mars landing sites.

    • *Reflect: Possible questions to reflect on Mision to Mars:
  • How are Mars and the Earth different from each other?
  • How would you feel about being part of the first human mission to Mars?
  • What types of people do you think would be selected for the mission?
  • What jobs would they need to do?
  • What plans would you need to make prior to the mission?
  • What type of habitat do you think would be needed for living on Mars?
  • Where would you plan to land on Mars?
  • What things do you hope the mission team can accomplish while they are on Mars?
  • Explain why teamwork will be an important skill for the members of the Mars team?
  • What other skills will be important?
    • Apply

    Design the first human habitat for Mars. Working in teams the youth can produce a drawing or actual 3-D models. For 3-D models the youth can use recyclables such as plastic bottles, shoe boxes, straws, etc. Teams should share their drawings/models. Lesson plans can be found at:

    http://www.mars2030.net
    http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/teacher/spsetlesson.html
    http://mars.ivv.nasa.gov/pilot/cool_tools/index.html
    More Activities

    Test your knowledge of the planets using PC's in Space software. Free software is available for download from: http://pcsinspace.hst.nasa.gov/space/ or a CD-ROM can be ordered from NASA for $6: http://spacelink.nasa.gov/CORE

    Find out more about how to become an astronaut, astronaut training and what it's like to be an astronaut.
    Ask an Astronaut
    Astronaut Resources
    How to Become an Astronaut
    Astronaut Training
    Track satellellites, Mir, and the Space Shuttle.
    Discover more about the Future of Space Flight
    Find out how you can train to be an astronaut at U.S. Space Camp

    Extended Activities:

  • Marsville: The Cosmic Village, Challenger Center for Space Science Education.

  • Mars City Alpha, Challenger Center for Space Science Education

  • Video: Destination Mars (33 minutes) Depicts the first human mission to Mars in the year 2018. The story of the journey is told by the mission astronauts as they record entries in their journals. The program presents Mars geology and the search for life on the planet. It also illustrates the technologies being developed to transport humans to Mars and support life on the planet once humans have landed. http://spacelink.nasa.gov/CORE.

  • The Fabric Flight Connection. 4-H Youth Develoment Cornell Cooperative Extension.

  • Toys in Space: That Free Fall Feeling. Iowa State University Extension. Order #4H-97, video #4H-87A. Play with toys, observing how they perform on earth, and then predict how these same toys would perform in the microgravity of space. Test your predictions by watching a video of the astronauts playing wit the same toys.

  • Charting the Planets: Download NASA Activity guide

  • NASA Lithographs of the Planets.

  • Software-The Secret Star, VIDEODISCOVERY; Mac/Windows; System Requirements: MAC, 7.1 or higher, 8MB RAM, 2x CD-ROM drive, 4MB free hard drive space, mouse, speakers or 486 or higher. Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, 4 MB RAM, 2x CD-ROM drive, 4MB free hard drive space, mouse, speakers. Cost $$

  • Crashed on the Moon: Lesson plans to help students find out about the differences between the environment of the Earth and the environment on the moon. Lesson includes: objectives, purpose, activities, materials needed, tying it all together and where to go from here.


    • * see Experiential Learning Model