Curated OER
Mars
Students debate the ethical considerations involved in colonizing and terra-forming Mars. They have a preliminary discussion and view a video clip about Mars, then break into support and oppose groups to research and prepare their...
Curated OER
Postcards From Mars
Fifth graders research and explore what life would be like for human colonists on Mars. They explore various websites, read and discuss newspaper articles, develop a chart of the hardships and conditions that would be faced by colonists...
Curated OER
Studying Mars
Students study Mars and Odyssey's mission to Mars. In groups, they plan a community that could live on Mars.
Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX)
Imagine Mars
Middle schoolers research the planet of Mars using the Internet. They analyze the factors that would enable people to live on Mars and present a slideshow presentation and brochure about Mars.
Curated OER
NASA's Mars gamble pays off
Students read an article about NASA and Mars and complete short answer questions about the article. In this Mars lesson plan, students also create a scale model of the solar system.
Curated OER
Lunar Real Estate
Students investigate the aspect of colonizing the moon by comparing techniques that are used on Earth. The colonization takes place with the planning of a hypothetical model. The model is used as a point of discussion and target...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: One Way Ticket to Mars Mission
In this English worksheet, students read "One Way Ticket to Mars Mission," and then respond to 1 essay, 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 10 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Life Beyond Earth
Students investigate the solar system and what makes a planet habitable. They complete an online Webquest, simulate a NASA training program online, take an online quiz, answer discussion questions, and locate newspaper articles about the...
Curated OER
Mars Colonization Assignment #1
Eighth graders recognize the some day humans may wish to colonize Mars. They participate in an Internet adventure where they compare and contrast Earth to the other nine planets in the solar system.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Marvelous Martian Mineralogy
Believe it or not ... martian soil does have nutrients needed for plants to survive! An out-of-this-world tutorial moves scholars through an analysis of martian soil to determine its chemical make-up. Pupils analyze reflectivity of...
Curated OER
"To Terraform or Not to Terraform?"
Learners analyze an article written by an engineer at NASA proposing colonizing Mars with human explorers on the fastest track possible. They are invited to react to the article through several activities.
Curated OER
The Martian Chronicles: Concept Analysis
If you're planning on including Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles in your science fiction unit, use a concept analysis guide to frame your instruction. It covers literary elements such as setting, narrative voice, and theme, as well...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Imagine Mars
Middle schoolers will learn about Mars and what adaptations would be needed for people to live on Mars. They will develop a plan for the colonization of Mars. A slideshow presentation and brochure will be created to entice people to join...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Could We Actually Live on Mars?
Mari Foroutan details the features of Mars that are remarkably similar to those of Earth- and those that can only be found on the red planet. [4:30]
CommonLit
Common Lit: Are Humans Really Headed to Mars Anytime Soon? By Nell Greenfieldboy
A learning module that begins with "Are Humans Really Headed to Mars Anytime Soon?" by Nell Greenfieldboyce, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or...