The outer solar system harbors a number of tantalizing satellites that could potentially harbor life. But according to many, the best place in our solar system to search for a second tree of life is on Mars. NASA is planning to launch a new high-tech rover, named Perseverance, to the Planet Mars some time before August 15th. One of the goals is to search for signs of life on Mars. Specifically they will be looking for evidence of a native martian biosphere. The most exciting question is whether or not life has evolved more than once anywhere in our solar system. What might Martian life look like? No matter what they find, Perseverance is about to investigate rock types that date from this early phase of martian history — for the first time.
Another goal is to learn more about the Red Planet to prepare for future human missions. Have NASA scientists figured out how to make oxygen on Mars for future astronauts to breathe? Join NASA Solar System Ambassador Pat Monteith as she shows you the engineering behind the Rover and the new, cool tools that it has to explore Mars.
No matter what they find, one burning question still remains: What will happen if a space agency discloses the discovery of alien life? The discovery of extraterrestrial life, if it ever happens, just may present the perfect opportunity for humans to take a step back from our earthly divisions, forcing us to reframe our dissonant voices into a singular, planet-wide harmony. FREE
The Secret Case of the Space Station Stowaways
Mars Information and Activities
Mars Mission Overview
https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/overview/
Surviving and Thriving on MARS
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/surviving-on-mars-education-explorer-activities.pdf
Mars Survival Kit
https://www.nasa.gov/stem-ed-resources/mars-survival-kit.html
Explore – Life on Mars
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/LifeOnMars/
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/LifeOnMars/ImplementationGuide.pdf
Planetary Pasta Rover
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/planetary-pasta-rover/
Pasta Rover Challenge
https://www.learningundefeated.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/The-Pasta-Rover-Challenge-Student-Handout-final.pdf
Building & testing Mars Rovers
https://launchstemcareers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Instructions-Mars-Rover.pdf
Mission to Mars Teaching Unit – experiments & videos
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/mission-to-mars-unit/
SIMOC
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/simoc/
With this interactive simulator developed by National Geographic, students can explore what it takes to survive on Mars. The simulator enables students to design a habitat that sustains human life using a combination of mechanical and living plant systems.
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