Lesson Plan Exploring the Solar System
========= M A R S P O L A R L A N D E R O N Apple Learning Interchange ==========
The Mars Polar Lander launched in January and landed on the red planet
on December 3, 1999. The goal is to study the planet's geology, climate,
and water to find out how Mars evolved, to learn about relationships to
Earth's climate changes, and to look at resources for future human
exploration-- ultimately to study the potential for life elsewhere in the
universe.
Stop by Apple Learning Interchange often for breaking news, on going forum discussions and new
material:
http://ali.apple.com/mars/mars_index.shtml
Lesson Plan
Pioneers, Vanguards, Explorers, Mariners, Rangers, Vikings, Surveyors and Voyagers have been the workhorses of the effort of the United States to explore the solar system.
How do reaction engines, such as a rocket, shoot forward with escape velocity?
First:
Explore Space exploration on Internet and discover who Konstantin E. Tsiolkovsky and Dr. Robert H. Goddard are and what they have contributed to space exploration. Written report.
Second:
Vocabulary
Third:
Newton's Third Law of Motion
Assign each set of lab partners a planet. Research planet on the Internet and teach class about their planet. Visuals, movie clips, pictures and overheads are allowed. Students will then help to design the testing tool for this unit.