Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!
Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! will bring the excitement of Mars science to elementary school teachers across the country through standards-based, creative, interdisciplinary curriculum. (Courtesy ASU)
Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore! incorporates science into elementary school literacy activities. The project’s flexible, standards-based curriculum uses literacy, art, and creative expression as a vehicle for the topic of Mars exploration. This project offers teacher professional development nationally beginning in 2013. The project has a special focus on Spanish-language communities and will be translated for use by Spanish language teachers, English as a Second Language teachers, and others.
For more information about the project, or if you are a teacher seeking to add your name to our professional development distribution list, please email epomail@lasp.colorado.edu with “Red Planet inquiry” in the subject line.
Workshop Announcements
Mesmerized by Mars? NASA’s MAVEN mission presents:
Red Planet: Read, Write, Explore!
A workshop for teachers and educators of 3rd-5th grade students
Los Angeles Workshop (click for registration information)
Saturday, August 24, 2013; Mexican Consulate, 2401 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (map)
Boulder Workshop (Registration Available soon)
Saturday, September 21, 2013; Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Space Sciences Building, 3665 Discovery Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 (map)
Red Planet lessons
Please click the links below to access PDF files of the full Red Planet lessons and their corresponding student activity handouts.
Download entire Red Planet program
Red Planet: Welcome to the Program!
Introduction and recommended reading
Lesson 1: A Quick Trip to Mars
Teacher Instructions | Student Pages
Lesson 1 Extension Activity: Atmospheric Pressure on Mars
Lesson 1 Extension Activity: The Gravity on Mars
Lesson 2: Hanging Mars Out to Dry
Teacher Instructions | Student Pages | Student Supplemental Reading
Lesson 3: Going to Extremes
Teacher Instructions | Student Pages | Behold the Mighty Water Bear (Science Friday video)
Lesson 4: Surviving and Thriving on Mars
Teacher Instructions | Student Pages
Lesson 5: Mars in the Future!
Teacher Instructions | Student Pages
Lesson 6: Know-Wonder-Learned
