PICK MOON OR MARS

MOON
Some important questions to consider include:
1. How do you account for the decreased gravity on the moon?
2. How do you produce oxygen for the inhabitants?
3. What materials will be used to construct the habitat?
4. How do the inhabitants obtain food and water? Remember: the
Lunar Colony must be self-sustaining!
5. What can be done to combat the extremes in temperature on the
Moon?
The presentation should be done using presentation software so that major ideas
and reasons for decisions can be displayed. The model can be included in the
presentation if it is computer-generated. Otherwise, the model should be on
display while the presentation is given. Leave time for a question and answer
session at the end.
Resources
Use the following Web sites to conduct your research. Keep in mind that not all
Web sites are written specifically for students. Some of what you read might be
challenging. You may have to explore the Web sites to find all the information
you are looking for.
Living in Space
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/living/index.html
Living in Space
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/home/F_Living_in_Space.html
A Day aboard the Space Shuttle Movie
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/A_Day_A
board.html
European Space Agency Living in Space
http://www.esa.int/esaHS/ESAGO90VMOC_astronauts_0.html
Moon Facts National Geographic
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/07/0714_040714_moonfacts.html
Earths Moon
http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Moon
Moon Fact Sheet
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/moonfact.html
OR MARS
Future space exploration may lead to a human mission to Mars or the moon. The red
planet has been a source of fascination for humans and an inspiration to writers of
science fiction for many years. As our neighbor in the solar system, Mars has
been studied through telescopes, space probes, and most recently, by spacecraft
that actually landed on the surface of Mars. We have taken photographs of the
surface of Mars and analyzed the chemical composition of its atmosphere, but
we have not yet been able to collect rocks from Mars and bring them back to

Earth for study.

However, we have studied rocks from Mars and the moon. Scientists have identified
several groups of meteorites found on Earth's surface as rocks that originated on Mars
and brought back moon rocks. Some of the meteorites from MARS appear to include
evidence in their structure that lifeonce existed on Mars.
What kind of evidence do these rocks hold? Why do
scientists think that life may once have existed on the planet Mars?
Task
Your job in this WebQuest is to learn all about Mars you can also look at the moon to
create a lunar space station. If you choose Mars you will find out what types of
meteorites came from Mars and how these rocks have been identified as coming from
that planet. You will discover the evidence that leads some scientists to the conclusion
that life once existed on Mars. Finally, you will answer a set of questions to demonstrate
what you have learned about Mars rocks and about the possibility of life on Mars.
Process
Read through the following set of questions before you begin your Internet
research. As you explore each site, look for answers to the questions. Keep in
mind that not all Web sites are written specifically for students. Some of what you
read might be challenging.
Questions about Mars Rocks!
1. How did meteors from Mars arrive on Earth?
2. What type of rock are most Martian meteorites?
3. How do scientists determine how long meteorites have been in space?
4. Why is it important to identify the gases trapped inside Mars meteorites?
5. What do Martian meteorites tell us about Mars?
6. Why do we need to collect rocks from the surface of Mars?
7. What evidence shows that Mars may once have had liquid water?
8. What are some reasons that scientists think living things may have existed
on Mars approximately 3.6 billion years ago?
9. What is the significance of carbonate in meteorites from Mars?
10. Based on your research, form an opinion as to whether life once existed
on Mars.
Resources
Look at the Web sites given here to find the information that will enable you to
answer questions about Mars rocks.
Meteorites from Mars
http://www-curator.jsc.nasa.gov/antmet/marsmets/index.cfm
Mars Today
www.marstoday.com
Life on Mars?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/07/060705091634.htm
Methane on Mars
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/4243321/Mars-methanediscoveryhints-at-presence-of-life.html
Carbon-filled fractures
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4688938.stm

Missions to Mars
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/present/2003.html
Spirit and Opportunity Rovers
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/index.html
Mars Gazette
http://www.amnh.org/rose/mars/martian.html
.
Conclusion
In the process of completing this WebQuest, you've become informed about the
planet Mars and about the possibility that life once existed there. You have
learned about past, present, and future missions to Mars. You have discovered
the reasons that scientists think life may once have existed on Mars. You have
also developed research skills as you explored the Web sites given and identified
the relevant information to answer the set of questions above. Do you think
materials found in Mars meteorites support the idea that life once existed on
Mars? Why is finding evidence of water on Mars important for future exploration
of Mars?