Mars Lesson Plans

Students learn about how engineers help us to know about Mars and Jupiter. In this Mars and Jupiter lesson, students are introduced to the telescope, deep space antennas, spacecraft, and planetary rovers that engineers designed to help us learn about these planets.

Students examine images of Mars' surface features to identify landforms and the geological processes that created them. Students listen to information about Mars presented by the teacher, then analyze labeled pictures of Mars' landforms to complete worksheets of what they see.

Students are introduced to some common map projections and representations (e.g., globes or close-ups) and asked to consider the ways that each representation can be used to show specific features of Mars.

Students identify the obstacles that can occur on a trip to Mars. Using surface area photographs they observe the terrain of Mars and discuss what could have caused some of the marks and craters on the surface. Students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using robotic technology, instead of humans to explore Mars.

Learners explore latest Mars rovers - Spirit and Opportunity. They investigate the nature of communications with the Rovers including use of Mars Orbiters as relay stations. They research needs of future missions and design communications networks

Sixth graders research the planet Mars using online and offline resources. They compile their information and write a short essay/story/report and post it online.

Students investigate the existence of the Earth/ Moon in the solar system. They make a scale model of Mars and write a travel plan from Mars to Earth concentrating on the distance. The hands on activity is an effective strategy for including all students into the lesson plan.

Pupils explore the concept of Mars, both in fiction and non-fiction.  In this visual arts and planet lesson, students create illustrations of a fictional Mars, relating to Bradbury's Mars.  Pupils also conduct a research project, comparing and contrasting the fictional Mars to the real planet. 

Students 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.

Students compare and contrast the physical and orbital characteristics of Mars and Earth. They discuss the history of time-keeping and calendars on Earth. In groups, they use the facts about Earth and Mars to design a Martian calendar.