Learners explore the three-phase strategy used by NASA for scientific exploration. In this space science lesson, students research past missions to Mars. They share their discoveries and create a timeline as a class.

Students, working in small groups construct scale models of the planets and solar system. They examine images of Mars and discuss what might have caused the features. They record facts about their planetary research in their journals and...

Pupils study Mars and Odyssey's mission to Mars. In groups, they plan a community that could live on Mars.

Middle schoolers research the planet of Mars using the Internet. They analyze the factors that would enable people to live on Mars and present a slideshow presentation and brochure about Mars.

Middle schoolers examine the properties of metal that can be used on the surface of Mars. They research the Internet to determine the properties of Mars and determine which metals are compatible. They create a slide show presentation of...

In groups of six, middle school space scientists create an imaginative travel brochure for attracting visitors to the planet Mars. Information must include surface features and atmospheric conditions. Although time-consuming, this is a...

Students describe in words and graphic displays the elevation or depression profile of sections of Mars' Olympus Mons and/or Valles Marineris. They explain how orbiting spacecraft build up global maps one data slice at a time.

Young scholars design a calendar that displays time on Mars. They explore the differences between time on Earth and time on Mars while making the calendar.

Students apply knowledge of topographical maps and how computer programs are used to make 3-D models of areas that humans have never visited. They view a Mars Canyon movie, then map the canyon.

Middle schoolers reivew the seven traditional reasons why people explore. They write a summary of their reasons why humans explore. Pupils illustrate their exploration summaries. Students relate the reasons for exploration to the...

Students research about the search for life in Mars. In this space science lesson, students develop a creative visual display of their findings. They present their project in class.

Students use fractions and words to find a coded message and the first student to solve the message wins a candy bar.

Students study the unique environment of the moon and Mars. In this space science instructional activity, students design a city located in the outer space. They create a computer aided design, models or drawings of their cities and...

Students construct a pathfinder that could land an egg safely. In this physics lesson, students explain the factors affecting the dynamics of falling objects. They evaluate their pathfinder design.

Fourth graders pretend they are going on a trip to Mars as they close their eyes and visualize the journey. They discuss what they saw on the journey to determine how one student may visualize something different than another. Next, they...

Pupils explore Mount Shasta and various locations on Mars to examine ways geographical data can be represented. They study topographic maps and translating data from 2-Dimensions to 3-Dimensions.

Explore the rainforest with your class. Learners study the meaning of the word endangered, choose an animal to study, gather data, and discuss why the animal is in danger of extinction. This is a motivating way to have your class discuss...

High schoolers "paint" with torn paper!. They focus on the placement of features, facial planes, shadows and highlights using a black and white image. The results from this lesson are visually stunning, and the materials you need to get...

Challenge young astronomers to demonstrate their knowledge of the solar system with this fun open-ended science project. Provided with a short list of requirements, students are given the freedom to use their creativity and whatever...

Students create balloon and rubber band models of robotic rovers to investigate the concepts of mass, torque, and friction. Through research and planning, students construct a rover test-bed that simulates the Martian environment.

Students discuss and then create a bookmark and/or poster with a drawing and/or words on it which is their personal "anti-drug"--an alternative for them to using drugs.

Young, native Spanish speakers learn about the four elements: earth, fire, air, and water. As a group, discuss the different senses you might use with each element. This is a teacher-centered instructional activity, but consider having...

Students identify the challenges encountered by astronauts in operating a planetary rover. For this space science lesson, students create a rover using their team members. They follow a command sequence from the driver and navigate...

Students apply estimation strategies and proportional reasoning to determine a scale comparing the planetary bodies to Earth. They convert measurements of time and distance using scientific notation. Both the metric and customary units...