Mars: Matter & Energy in Ecosystems
How can living things be transported and survive on Mars?
Guide students in developing a class focus question about the phenomenon. How can living things be transported and survive on Mars?
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.
Through experimentation students learn plants need sunlight, air, and nutrients to grow. We can simulate these things in space.
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.
Students will develop a model of energy flow from sun. Students will learn about solar powered robots in farming.
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.
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.