Mars: Matter & Energy in Ecosystems

Mars: Matter & Energy in Ecosystems

How can living things be transported and survive on Mars?

Rating
Average: 4.5 (4 votes)
Science+_Mars
Course
Course
Science+
Subjects
Subjects
Science
Grade Levels
Grade Levels
5
Duration (hours)
Duration (Approx hours)
25
Overview
In this module, students will discover what is needed to sustain life and how energy travels through an ecosystem. Students will develop a model to describe the movement of matter through plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. Students will also support an argument from their investigations and research that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.
Standards
5-PS1-1
5-PS3-1
5-LS1-1
5-LS2-1
3-5-ETS1-2
Cyber Connections
Cyber Career Awareness
Section Title
Lessons
Accordion Items
Title
Focus Question: How can living things be transported and survive on Mars?
Content

Guide students in developing a class focus question about the phenomenon. How can living things be transported and survive on Mars?

Title
Discovery 1: How will we get the energy we need to survive the long trip to Mars?
Content

Students will realize that the journey to Mars will take quite a bit of time. To better understand how humans will need to get energy for such a long trip, students explore how energy and matter flows through an ecosystem.

Title
Discovery 2: How can plants grow on a space shuttle?
Content

Through experimentation students learn plants need sunlight, air, and nutrients to grow. We can simulate these things in space.

Title
Discovery 3: How will the atmosphere be different on Mars?
Content

In this discovery students will explore what makes up air on earth and how that may differ in space and on Mars. The air on Earth is made of particles too small to be seen. Students will investigate air by adding more air and taking air away. Based on their investigations, students will develop a model of particles too small to be seen.

Title
Discovery 4: Why is the sun so important?
Content

Students will develop a model of energy flow from sun. Students will learn about solar powered robots in farming.

Title
Discovery 5: How can we survive long term on Mars?
Content

To survive long-term on Mars, we will need plants, animals, and decomposers to give astronauts the vitamins and minerals they need. Students will create their own ecosystem for Mars.

Title
Engineering Design Project: Rocket Launch Plan
Content

Students are designing a launch plan to successfully land their foam rocket on a Mars target. Teams will explore possible forces and angles to determine which are most likely to hit the target.