3.. 2.. 1.. BLAST OFF! And we’re on our way to Mars “Studying whether there’s life on Mars or studying how the universe began, there’s something magical about pushing back the frontiers of knowledge. That’s something that is almost part of being human, and I’m certain that will continue.” —sally ride [US Engineer & Physicist. First US Woman in Space] Our virtual field trip Today we are taking a virtual trip to Mars to as astronauts to gather data on the likelihood of sustaining life on Mars. We will gather data from reading articles, studying the surface of Mars through rovers and applying our knowledge of Earth’s cycles to come to conclusions about Mars. We will look at the plate tectonics and rock formations to decide if there ever was life on Mars. We will use cutting-edge technology and the current research to decide if humans will ever be able to live on Mars. Flight plan Launch 01 02 Home Prepare for liftoff Do research Explore mars Return home Blast off into space with a rocket launch Experiment with gravity before studying the surface of Mars Use NASA’s Curiosity rover to explore Mars Earn a medal for your accomplishments Flight plan It is important that we do all our research before landing on Mars. Along the way, there are tips and tricks to help ensure that you are getting the most out of your research on this trip. You will use this Google Slides to document all of the data your gather before you come to a conclusion about the possibility of life on Mars. Each step in our plan is equally important, so please ensure that you are completing all of your research and reading to the best of your ability. I trust that you will go down in history for your bravery and sacrifice to study such a place as Mars. Good luck in your studies. Are you ready for lift off? 01 Do research Read about Mars to learn more regarding our destination “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” —stephen hawking [English Theoretical Physicist] Why do we start with research? Just like any vacation you go on, you will read about the place you are going. You will want to know what the weather is like and what kinds of things are available for you to do. Scientists do the same thing before going on an expedition. We do research to learn more about the kinds of things that we can learn on our trip. Let’s read about mars 1) Click one of the following links to start your research about Mars. Read the entire article and watch any videos that come with it. Article 1: Wiggly Wheels Copy and paste YOUR comments here: Article 2: Sedimentary Rocks Article 3: The Volcano Basics Article 4: What is Erosion? 2) When you are finished share at least two important facts from the article you read on the Jamboard for your fellow astronauts to read as well. Copy and paste your comments onto this slide. Click HERE to go to the Jamboard! Why do we share research? The best part of having a team is that you can rely on your team to bring different assets and viewpoints to the table. Today, you shared research with your team of fellow astronauts. You will also read their posts to gather even more information to answer the following questions. questions Question 1: Why did scientists develop a new type of wheel for the rovers? Question 2: How do the new wheel differ from the old model of wheels? questions Question 3: What are the different processes involved in creating sedimentary rocks? Question 4: How is weathering involved with the creation of sedimentary rocks? questions Question 5: What causes volcanoes? Question 6: What are some of the ways that volcanoes affect ecosystems? questions Question 7: What are the natural forces that drive erosion? Question 8: How does erosion play a role in creating sedimentary rocks? Prepare for landing As we prepare for impact, we are giving out assignments for each team to investigate different areas of Mars. Astronauts will be grouped together based on which article you read for research. Sites and locations will be given out according. I hope you took some good notes to share with your scientific team. The following slides have more details based on your previous research. Prepare to enter the atmosphere. I hope you find new information that will change life as we know it. Good luck out there! Are you ready for landing? 02 Explore mars Use NASA’s Curiosity rover to explore Mars and learn about current research “Mars has been flown by, orbited, smacked into, radar examined, and rocketed onto, as well as bounced upon, rolled over, shoveled, drilled into, baked and even blasted. Still to come: Mars being stepped on.” —buzz aldrin [US Engineer & Astronaut. Second Person to walk on the Moon] assignments It is very important that each astronaut reports to their assigned location. I have assigned specific fieldwork for each team based off of the research you have already completed on your flight here. Each background article will help you gather specific information during your time on Mars. I know that we are sending our best astronauts out into Mars. Be safe out there. See your teams and assignments What team are you on? You will start off reporting to the slide that corresponds with the article number that you read earlier. For example, if you read article 1 then you are on Team 1. Team 1 reports to the Team 1 slide (slide 21). Team 2 reports to the Team 2 slide (slide 22). Team 3 reports to the Team 3 slide (slide 23). Team 4 reports to the Team 4 slide (slide 24). TEAM 1 Welcome to Mars Team 1, Your tasks: As space robotics experts, you will be analyzing the characteristics of the current Mars rover called Curiosity. 1) Explore the Landing Site points of interest on the Curiosity rover. You do not need to travel anywhere. You will report to the Landing Site with the Curiosity Rover. 2) Document one observation and one connection to your research article as it relates to the design of Curiosity. We need you to apply your knowledge of rover movement to Curiosity to determine how we can make improvements in the future. 3) Post your observation and connection in the Jamboard on the correct slide. Report to slide 26 when fieldwork is complete Click here to take control of the mars curiosity rover Click HERE to go to the Jamboard! TEAM 2 Welcome to Mars Team 2, As sedimentary rock experts, you will be collecting data on the rocks formations of Mars. You will report to Pahrump Hills with the Curiosity Rover. We need you to apply your knowledge of sedimentary rocks to the surface of Mars to further our knowledge of this dusty planet. Your tasks: 1) Explore the Pahrump Hills points of interest. Use the map to travel to site 2. 2) Document one observation and one connection to your research article as it relates to the surface of Mars at Pahrump Hills. 3) Post your observation and connection in the Jamboard on the correct slide. Report to slide 26 when fieldwork is complete Click here to take control of the mars curiosity rover Click HERE to go to the Jamboard! TEAM 3 Welcome to Mars Team 3, As volcano experts, you will be drawing conclusions about the layers of Mars as it related to volcanic activity. You will report to Marias Pass with the Curiosity Rover. We need you to apply your knowledge of volcanic activity to deepen our understanding of the plate tectonics on Mars. Your tasks: 1) Explore the Marias Pass points of interest. Use the map to travel to site 3. 2) Document one observation and one connection to your research article as it relates to the surface of Mars at Marias Pass. 3) Post your observation and connection in the Jamboard on the correct slide. Report to slide 26 when fieldwork is complete Click here to take control of the mars curiosity rover Click HERE to go to the Jamboard! TEAM 4 Welcome to Mars Team 4, As erosion experts, you will be drawing conclusions about the layers of Mars as it related to volcanic activity. You will report to Murray Buttes with the Curiosity Rover. We need you to apply your knowledge of erosion to the rock formations on Mars to make conclusions about the surface of Mars. Your tasks: 1) Explore the Murray Buttes points of interest. Use the map to travel to site 4. 2) Document one observation and one connection to your research article as it relates to the surface of Mars at Murray Buttes. 3) Post your observation and connection in the Jamboard on the correct slide. Report to slide 26 when fieldwork is complete Click here to take control of the mars curiosity rover Click HERE to go to the Jamboard! Why do we share research? One great way to learn something new is to read what other experts have to say about a topic. Having multiple insights can help you see a different side of a topic that you may not have noticed on your own. Scientists value sharing ideas because scientists know we’re more knowledgeable together! Reading others’ research 1) Go to the Jamboard and read the observations and connections from the other research teams. 2) Copy and paste ONE connection or observation from each of the other research teams. 3) Copy and paste ONE CONNECTION from someone else in your own research team. Insert other astronauts’ research into your report Click HERE to go to the Jamboard! Reading other astronauts’ research Team 1 Team 2 Reading other astronauts’ research Team 3 Team 4 “We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains. 93 percent stardust, with souls made of flames, we are all just stars that have people names.” —Nikita Gill [Indian-British Poet & Writer] Preparing for a safe trip home Great work, team! The world of science thanks you for all of your hardwork and dedication out in the field today. We hope to use your research in the development for a plan to send humans to Mars in the next 10-20 years. Your names will be among the most renowned scientists of the world. Your work here has shaped life as we know it. We are presenting you with a medal to honor your accomplishments and achievements. Thank you for your work, astronauts. Receive your medal The end
