The Martian Lesson Plan

Life on Mars

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will develop an understanding of life, what allows it to happen, and why Mars is likely devoid of it.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.9

Structure:

Start the class off with a refresher on cells and their importance in creating life. Provide each student with a list of different things found on Earth: plant, tree, human skin, bone, blood, fungus, bacteria, rock, water, hamburger, ants, calcium. Pair up students and give them roughly ten minutes to go over their list and decide what they think is made up of cells. After the ten minutes are up, regroup as a class to discuss group findings...