Terraform Mars Lesson 1: No more Earth...
Part of Curriculum Unit:Terraform Mars
Abstract help
Students will discuss what happens if the Earth can no longer provide a suitable environment for human life. As a result of the class discussion, students will see this unit as one relevant to their own lives, and realize they may be involved at a later time. As students begin to comprehend the importance of this question they will begin generating possible solutions. As the answers begin to accumulate the teacher will introduce a possible solution of terraforming.
National Standards help
POPULATIONS, RESOURCES, AND ENVIRONMENTS
When an area becomes overpopulated, the environment will become
degraded due to the increased use of resources.
When an area becomes overpopulated, the environment will become
degraded due to the increased use of resources.
Pre-requisite Skills help
1. Students must have the ability to listen to their peers during a discussion.
2. Students must have the ability to generate questions.
3. For the enrichment activity students need to have the ability to e-mail or fill in a form on the internet.
2. Students must have the ability to generate questions.
3. For the enrichment activity students need to have the ability to e-mail or fill in a form on the internet.
Teacher Information help
This URL shpws planet information to the students. This site is written for a younger age group. If your students are older you can also click on this site and it will provide you with a URL which is more suitable.
http://www.tcsn.net/afiner/intro.htm
Reference Information on Earth and Mars
http://library.advanced.org/2595/reference/planets.html
Free educational materials about Earth's resources
http://crude2.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/earthSci.html
Discussion information on current terraforming research Mars
http://www.marsacademy.com/m_arts3.htm
http://www,nsplus.com/nsplus/insight/mars/mars.html
http://despina.advanced.org/23682/atmosphere.html
Science Fiction Books Discussing the Ethical consideration of Terraforming Mars
In the first of Kim Stanley Robinson's famous trilogy of novels, Red Mars, two groups
fight in the colonized planet : those who are in favour and against terraforming the
planet.
Ask-a-geologist: Students can e-mail a geologist at this site and receive an answer to their questions.
http://telperion.otago.ac.nz:800/Geology/askus/askageo.htm
Materials:
Poster Board Per group
Markers
Area for small groups
http://www.tcsn.net/afiner/intro.htm
Reference Information on Earth and Mars
http://library.advanced.org/2595/reference/planets.html
Free educational materials about Earth's resources
http://crude2.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/earthSci.html
Discussion information on current terraforming research Mars
http://www.marsacademy.com/m_arts3.htm
http://www,nsplus.com/nsplus/insight/mars/mars.html
http://despina.advanced.org/23682/atmosphere.html
Science Fiction Books Discussing the Ethical consideration of Terraforming Mars
In the first of Kim Stanley Robinson's famous trilogy of novels, Red Mars, two groups
fight in the colonized planet : those who are in favour and against terraforming the
planet.
Ask-a-geologist: Students can e-mail a geologist at this site and receive an answer to their questions.
http://telperion.otago.ac.nz:800/Geology/askus/askageo.htm
Materials:
Poster Board Per group
Markers
Area for small groups
Student Activity help
1. The entire class will be presented with the question, What happens when the Earth can no longer provide a suitable envirnment for human life.
2. Small groups (3-5) students will brainstorm anwers to the question for, and write answers on a poster sheet to present to the class.
3. The teacher will use the Earth conservation URL at the direct link below, to aid in formulating answers if needed.
4. After student presentations, the teacher will lead a discussion on terraforming of Mars being a possible solution to the problem.
2. Small groups (3-5) students will brainstorm anwers to the question for, and write answers on a poster sheet to present to the class.
3. The teacher will use the Earth conservation URL at the direct link below, to aid in formulating answers if needed.
4. After student presentations, the teacher will lead a discussion on terraforming of Mars being a possible solution to the problem.
Assessment help
Assessment will be completed by observation.
Small groups will present a poster showing brainstorms of what might happen.
Small groups will present a poster showing brainstorms of what might happen.
Enrichment / Alternative Activity help
To enrich this activity students could e-mail scientists at Ask a geologist to discuss Earth's resources.
http://telperion.otago.ac.nz:800/Geology/askus/askageo.htm
http://telperion.otago.ac.nz:800/Geology/askus/askageo.htm
Technology Requirements/Integration help
Internet
LCD Panel projection
LCD Panel projection