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Decade in Space: Build a Mars Lander
http://www.pbs.org/safarchive/4_class/45_pguides/pguide_1005/44105_space.html
From DLESE Community Collection (DCC)
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In this activity students design, construct, and test an original model of a bouncing Mars lander. They will hold a classroom contest to see which landers work best to keep the cargo (an egg) from breaking. Students also learn that early missions to Mars sent rockets and robotic vehicles in a quest to learn more about the red planet. Now the goal is to find a way for people to get there. Space travel is hazardous to human health and many challenges lie ahead if people are ever going to travel to and colonize Mars.
Intended for grade levels:
  • Middle (6-8)
Type of resource:
  • For the classroom:
    • Classroom activity
Subject:
  • Space science
  • Technology
Technical requirements:
No specific technical requirements, just a browser required
Cost / Copyright:
No cost
Copyright 1990-2003 The Chedd-Angier Production Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS program is accompanied by an online teaching guide filled with science activities and educators are encouraged to download and photocopy these materials for use in the classroom.
DLESE Catalog ID: DLESE-000-000-008-218
Educational standards:
  • National Science Education Standards (NSES):
    • 5-8:
      • Unifying concepts and processes:
        • Evidence, models, and explanation
      • A - Science as inquiry:
        • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
      • B - Physical science:
        • Motion and forces
      • E - Science and technology:
        • Abilities of technological design
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Publisher: The Chedd-Angier Production Company
Scientific American Frontiers Television Series