Teaching Mars
By: Nicole Willett
Mars is one of the most powerful tools in an educator’s arsenal for inspiring students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Red Planet captures imaginations across all age groups and provides a real-world context for teaching everything from basic earth science to advanced physics and chemistry.
Why Teach Mars?
Mars exploration touches on nearly every STEM discipline:
- Geology: The study of Martian rocks, volcanoes, canyons, and craters provides a comparative context for understanding Earth’s geological processes.
- Atmospheric science: Comparing Earth’s atmosphere with Mars’ thin CO2 atmosphere helps students understand concepts like the greenhouse effect, weather systems, and climate change.
- Biology: The search for life on Mars introduces students to astrobiology, extremophiles, and the conditions necessary for life.
- Engineering: The design and operation of rovers, landers, and future human habitats provide engaging examples of engineering problem-solving.
- Mathematics: Orbital mechanics, distance calculations, and data analysis from Mars missions offer authentic math applications.
Strategies for the Classroom
Start with Wonder
Begin by asking students what they already know about Mars and what they would like to learn. Many students have seen Mars images in the news or on social media and have natural curiosity about the planet. Building on this existing interest is the most effective way to engage students.
Use Real Data
NASA and other space agencies make enormous amounts of Mars data freely available to the public. Students can examine real images from the Curiosity rover, study weather data from the Mars Climate Sounder, or explore the Martian surface using interactive maps. Working with real data gives students authentic scientific experience and shows them that science is an ongoing process of discovery.
Connect to Everyday Life
Help students see the connections between Mars exploration and their daily lives. Technologies developed for Mars missions have applications in medicine, communication, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Making these connections helps students understand why space exploration matters.
Hands-On Activities
Practical activities bring Mars science to life. Students can:
- Build and test model rovers
- Design Mars habitats using classroom materials
- Conduct “Mars soil” experiments using simulated regolith
- Calculate the distance to Mars and the travel time for spacecraft
- Analyze Mars images for geological features
Invite Experts
Organizations like the Mars Society can connect educators with scientists, engineers, and advocates who can speak to students about their work. Hearing from professionals who work on Mars missions makes the science feel more real and attainable.
Resources for Educators
The Mars Society’s education program provides curriculum materials aligned with national science standards, designed to be easily integrated into existing lesson plans. These resources include lesson plans, activity guides, assessment tools, and links to NASA educational materials.
Additional resources are available from NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, the Planetary Society, and various university outreach programs. Many of these resources are free and available online.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The students in today’s classrooms are the ones who will build the rockets, design the habitats, and perhaps even walk on the surface of Mars. By bringing Mars into the classroom, educators can spark the curiosity and passion that will drive these future explorers to turn the dream of humans on Mars into reality. There is no more powerful way to teach science than to show students that the greatest discoveries are still ahead of them.