Mars Unit Nicole Buchman

Analyze Learners Class consists of Eighth graders. Class consists of Eighth graders. Class is non-honors. Class is non-honors. Class is non-special needs. Class is non-special needs.

WV Content Standards and Objectives SC realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation, experiments and theoretical models. SC realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation, experiments and theoretical models. SC cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, find answers, solve problems, conduct investigations to further an appreciation of scientific discovery. SC cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, find answers, solve problems, conduct investigations to further an appreciation of scientific discovery. SC recognize societal concerns with exploration and colonization of space. SC recognize societal concerns with exploration and colonization of space.

WV CSO’s cont. SC research applications of space technology in everyday life (e.g., Velcro, Teflon, weather satellites). SC research applications of space technology in everyday life (e.g., Velcro, Teflon, weather satellites). SC evaluate and critically analyze mass media reports of scientific developments and events SC evaluate and critically analyze mass media reports of scientific developments and events

Select Methods, Media & Material Internet access (inside & outside classroom) Internet access (inside & outside classroom) Pictures of Mars’ and Earth’s surfaces Pictures of Mars’ and Earth’s surfaces Radio controlled cars Radio controlled cars Blindfolds Blindfolds Materials to create Mar’s surface (rocks, ‘hills’, etc.) Materials to create Mar’s surface (rocks, ‘hills’, etc.)

Methods, Media & Material cont. Quest to Planet Mars only/colonization.html Quest to Planet Mars only/colonization.html only/colonization.html only/colonization.html Astrobiologyhttp:// dex.php?page=mars01 Astrobiologyhttp:// dex.php?page=mars01http:// dex.php?page=mars01http:// dex.php?page=mars01 Mars Mars Live from Earth and Mars k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/. Live from Earth and Mars k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/. k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/ k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/ Discoveryschool.comhttp://school.discovery.com /lessonplans/programs/thepathtomars/ Discoveryschool.comhttp://school.discovery.com /lessonplans/programs/thepathtomars/ /lessonplans/programs/thepathtomars/ /lessonplans/programs/thepathtomars/

Utilize Media & Methods Day 1 Day 1 Begin Unit by discussing the scientific history of Mars. (discovery, surface features, etc.) Begin Unit by discussing the scientific history of Mars. (discovery, surface features, etc.) First activity First activity Compare surface pictures of Earth and Mars Compare surface pictures of Earth and Mars Based off lesson plan from discorveryschool.com Based off lesson plan from discorveryschool.com Assign Unit paper Assign Unit paper

Utilize Media and Methods cont. Day 2 Day 2 Review previous day. Review previous day. Idea and process of Terraformation will be covered. Idea and process of Terraformation will be covered. Research of Colonization assigned. Research of Colonization assigned. Day 3 Day 3 Students will summarize a mission researched previous night Students will summarize a mission researched previous night Discussion of pros and cons of colonization. Discussion of pros and cons of colonization.

Utilize Media and Methods cont. Day 4 Day 4 On-line research On-line research Peer-editing for Unit paper Peer-editing for Unit paper Day 5 Day 5 Discuss satellites and rovers. Discuss satellites and rovers. Cover creation, problems, solutions, etc. Cover creation, problems, solutions, etc. Day 6 Day 6 Cont. discussion from Day 5. Cont. discussion from Day 5. Find and discuss a recent mission to Mars. Find and discuss a recent mission to Mars.

Utilize Media and Methods cont. Day 7 Day 7 Experiment from Live from Earth and Mars Experiment from Live from Earth and Mars Students will guide rovers across the ‘surface of Mars’ Students will guide rovers across the ‘surface of Mars’ Day 8 Day 8 Cont. and finish experiment Cont. and finish experiment Discuss household items and relation to NASA Discuss household items and relation to NASA Assign paragraph on discussion Assign paragraph on discussion

Utilize Media and Methods Cont. Day 9 Day 9 Students will turn in assignment. Students will turn in assignment. Finish editing and start final draft of Unit Paper. Finish editing and start final draft of Unit Paper. Day 10 Day 10 Unit Paper due. Unit Paper due.

Require Learner Participation Students will be involved in almost daily discussions. Students will be involved in almost daily discussions. Students will be told of the fun experiment at beginning of Unit. Students will be told of the fun experiment at beginning of Unit. Students will be told that if they don’t work the experiment will not be done and another ‘less fun’ assignment will be made. Students will be told that if they don’t work the experiment will not be done and another ‘less fun’ assignment will be made.

Evaluation Students will be evaluated based on: Students will be evaluated based on: Knowledge during review sessions Knowledge during review sessions Assignments turned in on time Assignments turned in on time Navigating Mars’ surface Navigating Mars’ surface Unit Paper Unit Paper