Can we live on Mars?

Introduction

Humans have been interested in Mars since its discovery. For hundreds of years our observations were earth-based, limited by the distance between Earth and Mars. Today we have also explored Mars through the use of the Hubble Telescope, the Exploration Rovers, and missions such as the Mariner and the Viking. However, humans have still not set foot on Mars. What would be necessary for human life to exist on Mars?

The Task

Your team (consisting of a geologist, a meteorologist, a biologist, a NASA engineer, and an architect) must gain as much knowledge about Mars as possible. Each member of the team will visit the websites listed below and answer the questions that accompany them. Then the team members will meet together to decide on a prioritized list of 10 things that would be necessary for survival on Mars. The team will then submit their results using a form on this website.

The Process

1. Meet with your team and choose your roles: geologist, meteorologist, biologist, NASA engineer, and architect.
   
2. Print your questions and record your responses as you visit your assigned sites.
   

Geologist

Meteorologist

Biologist

Nasa Engineer

Architect

3. Each team member will visit the assigned sites listed below.
   General (for everyone)
   dictionary.com
   Mars Fact Sheet
   Welcome to the Planets
   National Geographic Mars Map
   Mars Atlas Clickable Globe
   Geologist
   USGS Astrogeology: Mars
   Mars
   Planet Structure
   Meteorologist
   The Daily Martian Weather Report
   BBC Weather - Mars
   Mars Weather
   Lower Atmosphere
   Biologist
   Terraformation: Making a Planet
   The Martian Federation
   Terraforming Mars
   Nasa looks to change Mars
   Nasa Engineer
   Planetary Society: We Can All Go to Mars
   Transportation
   Mission to Mars: Flight Plan
   How long would a trip to Mars take?
   Architect
   The Mars Homestead Project
   Builders in a Strange Land
   Martian Architecture
   
4. Teams members will work together and discuss their information from their site visits. Review the answers to each person's questions. Save your questions because you will turn them in.
   
5. Decide on the ten most important things necessary to live on Mars. Make a prioritized list (1 is most important, 10 is least).
   
6. Choose five things from your list and explain in 3-5 sentences why you believe each is important.
   
7. Write steps 5 and 6 on your own piece of paper or type them in your own file. Read over them carefully and make sure everyone in your group is satisfied with what you have.
   
8. Enter your results in the submission form and then click the appropriate button. Remember to carefully read what you have typed before you submit your information.
   
9. Print a hard copy of your submission.
   
10. Congratulations! You're finished. We will discuss this activity in class soon.
    

Evaluation

Conclusion

By now you should know quite a bit about the planet Mars and what is necessary for human life to exist there. What do you think? Will humans ever successfully live there? Maybe you'll be among the first to try...

Credits

Refer also to all sites listed above in the Process section.

Teacher Page

If you would like your students to be able to submit their answers to you, all they need to do is put your email address in the box at the bottom of the submission form and click submit.