Curated OER
I'm Gone
Learners plan a mock mission to Mars. In this space science lesson, students work in cooperative groups and select one experiment to take on their mock mission. Learners create a mission plan form and send a proposed experiment to NASA.
Curated OER
The Martian Dust Devils
In this martian dust devils worksheet, students use images of a dust devil captured by NASA's Spirit rover to calculate the distance the dust devil traveled, the speed, and its acceleration or deceleration.
University of Arizona
Nasa: The History of Mars Exploration
Explore the time line from 1960 to the 2000s about Mars Missions. Choose from news, explorations, blogs, gallery, and missions to learn more about Mars exploration.
NASA
Nasa: 21rd Century Explorer: Why Return to the Moon Before Going to Mars?
This short article elaborates on why it's important to have more space missions to the moon before sending a manned space mission to Mars. Follow links to learn more about NASA's other space missions.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Edible Rovers
Students act as Mars exploratory rover engineers. They evaluate rover equipment options and determine what parts fit in a provided NASA budget. With a given parts list, teams use these constraints to design for their rover. The students...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Are We Alone?
The year is 2032 and your class has successfully achieved a manned mission to Mars! After several explorations of the Red Planet, one question is still being debated: "Is there life on Mars?" The class is challenged with the task of...
Government of Canada
Canadian Space Agency: Mission to Mars
A detailed look at the obstacles and successes in the exploration of the fascinating red planet.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Probes to Mars (Level 2)
This site has a description of the different probes to pass by and land on Mars. Glossary, graphics, and printable version are also included.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Edible Rovers High School
Students act as Mars exploratory rover engineers, designing, building and displaying their edible rovers to a design review. To begin, they evaluate rover equipment and material options to determine which parts might fit in their given...
NASA
Nasa: Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Animation
This series of animations will take you from Earth to the Red Planet in less than ten minutes. The animation series begins with the initial launch and journey through the Earth's atmosphere. Entry into Mars, its landing and exploration...
NASA
Nasa: Mars Exploration: Fun Zone: Mars for Kids
Find links to engaging games, activities, billion-pixel images and much more about Mars.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Mars
Wikipedia, a publicly-maintained encyclopedia, provides abundant information on the planet Mars.
University of Hawai'i
Pretty Green Mineral Pretty Dry Mars
Olivine-bearing rocks, similar to those found in Hawaii, have been found on Mars. Use this site to learn more about what has been found on Mars.
PBS
Nova: Mars: Mars From Afar
View several different surface features of Mars as taken by the Mars Global Surveyor. Explanation of each of the geologic features accompanies each photograph.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Egg Cellent Landing
The purpose of this activity is to recreate the classic egg-drop experiment with an analogy to the Mars rover landing. The concept of terminal velocity will be introduced, and students will perform several velocity calculations. Also,...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Get Me Off This Planet
The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about how a spacecraft gets from the surface of the Earth to Mars. The lesson first investigates rockets and how they are able to get us into space. Finally, the nature of an orbit is...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Manned Mission to Mars
This lesson will discuss the details for a possible future manned mission to Mars. The human risks are discussed and evaluated to minimize danger to astronauts. A specialized launch schedule is provided and the different professions of...
NASA
Nasa: Is There Water on Mars?
This educator guide allows teachers and students to explore whether or not there is water on Mars. Download this PDF file and use activities to help explore Mars.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Beagle 2
NPR provides the story of Beagle 2, the Mars Lander. See a video animation of the descent and photo gallery of the Mars Express. Unfortunately, the Beagle 2 is a lost mission.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Destination Mars
This fascinating site from NPR describes the two missions launched on June 11, 2003 to explore Mars and collect evidence that may help scientists solve the many mysteries of Mars. The site contains vivid pictures and links to many...
NASA
Nasa: Mars Exploration: Fun Zone!
This site is filled with information on NASA's Mars Exploration Program. Use this informative site in Spanish or English. Play games while learning about Mars.
Other
Mars Exploration Rovers Special Update: Opportunity's Findings at Endeavour
Learn more about the Mars Exploration Rovers' missions by checking out this informative resource. If offers many pictures as well.
York University
Yes I Can! Science: Red Rover, Red Rover
The YES I Can! Science site based out of York University in Toronto is featuring the Mars rovers. The site has all the mission background information teachers need all in one place as well as several great student activities, (Build a...
Curated OER
Nasa Mars Exploration Rover
This fascinating site from NPR describes the two missions launched on June 11, 2003 to explore Mars and collect evidence that may help scientists solve the many mysteries of Mars. The site contains vivid pictures and links to many...