Mars-Bound

by Evelyn Baldwin, Brigitte Wetz, and Liz Brown

Introduction
Anchor Video
Concept Map
Project Calendar
Lesson Plans
Letter to Parents
Assessments
Resources
Modifications
 

Mars-Bound – Resources

Physics

Pre-calculus

Geology

I. Physics

a.      Websites

      i.      Digital Learning Network –

http://learningoutpost.jsc.nasa.gov/registration.cfm

This link is to set up the JSC “teleconference”. This must be done at least 4 weeks in advanced. However, to ensure that you get the exact date you want, it is best to schedule at least 6 months in advanced. This link also discusses the technical requirements the school must have in order to have the teleconference. If your school does not meet the technical requirements, JSC will try to find a facility near the school that would work.

     ii.      Space Shuttle Launch video clip – http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/1499/

This link is the video clip used for the “engagement” activity for the force lesson plan.

     iii.      Official Mars Rover website for educators - http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/classroom/

A plethora of learning resources ready to use in the classroom including lesson plans, multi-media resources, and links to other useful sites.

b.      Supplies

    i.      Software:

  • AutoCAD ®
  • Microsoft Office®
    ii.      Classroom set materials:

  • Spring force scales
  • Rope
  • Coaster carts (an enlarged skateboard)
  • Timers
  • Single and double pulleys
  • String masses
  • String
  • Various pieces of wood
  • Beakers
  • Small coaster carts (1 ft. squared) – base of the rovers
  • Electric motors
  • Batteries
  • Rulers
  • Calculators
  • Mousetraps
  • Lego’s
  • Balloons
  • Solar cells
  • Wood glue
  • Rubber bands
  • Bunsen burners
  • Masking tape
  • Duct tape
    iii.      Other materials:

  • Basic chemistry set
  • Liquid crystal strip
  • Measuring tape

c.       Published

High-school physics text book

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II. Pre-calculus

d.      Websites

  1. http://www.frontiernet/~imaging/vector_calculator.html

    This website allows the students to create their own vectors and visually see what the resulting vector is with any calculation performed.

  2. www.matrixmultipliermath.cochise.cc.as.us/math/k12/teacher_guide/basic.html

       This website allows the students to perform calculations with matrices.

  3. Syracuse University Physics –

    http://physics.syr.edu/courses/java-suite/crosspro.html

    This website is a cross-product tutorial.  It allows the students to move the vectors around to visually see what happens with such an abstract concept.

e.      Supplies

i.      Software:

  • Geometer Sketchpad ®

f.        Published

                  High-school pre-calculus text book

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III. Geology

g.      Websites

     i.      Geology of Mars – http://www.lukew.com/marsgeo/

This is an excellent website describing features found on Mars and the history behind them such as craters, volcanoes, landslides, and much more.

     ii.      Mars Introduction – http://www.solarviews.com/eng/movie

This is yet another excellent website on Mars, going into more detail about the history of its exploration and contains many excellent photos, topographic maps, animations, general quick facts, and information about Mars’ moons.

    iii.      Rock Hounds – http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow1/oct98/create/index.html

This website has animations on how each rock type (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous) is formed and also shows pictures of some examples of each.

h.      Supplies

   i.      Software:

  • AutoCAD ®
  • Microsoft Office®

   ii.      Classroom set materials:

  • 8 sets of minerals
  • 8 sets of scratch test materials – pennies, nails, glass
  • 8 sets of color streak test ceramic tiles
  • 8 sets of sedimentary rocks
  • 8 sets of metamorphic rocks
  • 8 sets of igneous rocks
  • Dilute hydrochloric acid
  • Balloons
  • Paper clips
  • Markers
  • Flexible Rulers
  • Stopwatches
  • Scissors

i.        Published

Middle-school/High-school earth science text book

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