Students combine science and systems engineering to develop a mission to search for life in our solar system. The mission must meet budgetary, mass and power constraints while still producing significant science. An extensive set of "equipment... (View More) playing cards" determines all critical mission factors such as mass limit, cost, weight, scientific instruments, mobility, and all systems- including power, computer, communication, instrumentation, mechanical, as well as entry, descent and landing. The equipment cards, a design mat and student worksheets are included. The lesson is part of the Mars Education Program series; it models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes and vocabulary. Next Generation Science Standards are listed. Next Generation Science Standards are listed. (View Less)

This is a lesson about the definition of life. Learners will compare real and fake or live and dead objects and brainstorm ideas about what life is; refine the definition by playing 20 Questions to identify an object or organism; and test the... (View More) definition by comparing "mystery" samples. Includes background reading for teachers, student pages, reflection questions, and blackline masters. This is activity 1 of 5 and sets the stage for subsequent activities in this educator resource guide - Astrobiology in your Classroom: Life on Earth..and Elsewhere? (View Less)

This is a lesson about the basic requirements for human survival. Learners will use an online, multimedia module, in which they make changes to the ecosystem and draw conclusions about the biologic conditions that are necessary for human survival.... (View More) The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is lesson 1 in the Astro-Venture Biology Training Unit that was developed to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and related STEM careers. The lessons are designed to be used with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules. (View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore plate movement and the relationship between plate tectonics and volcanoes. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common... (View More) misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is lesson five in the Astro-Venture Geology Training Unit that was developed to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules. (View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore the breakdown of food into chemical components used for various purposes in the body. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts,... (View More) common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is lesson two in the Astro-Venture Biology Training Unit that was developed to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules. (View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore how the creation and destruction of ozone protects us from ultraviolet radiation (UV). Learners will kinesthetically model the depletion of ozone caused by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) molecules; use ultraviolet... (View More) beads to "discover" ultraviolet radiation, and discuss the effects of ultraviolet radiation on humans; model and create a poster of how ozone is created and destroyed and how this process helps to protect us from ultraviolet radiation; and read about the ozone layer and model the depletion of ozone due to CFC molecules. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is the sixth lesson in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules. (View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore how animals obtain and store energy, and draw conclusions about the interconnectedness of living things in the flow of energy. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes... (View More) teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal and reading. This is lesson four in the Astro-Venture Biology Training Unit that were developed to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules. (View Less)

This is a lesson where learners explore the benefits of an inert gas (nitrogen) to life. The lesson models scientific inquiry using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, prerequisite concepts, common misconceptions, student journal... (View More) and reading. This is lesson 7 in the Astro-Venture Atmospheric Science Training Unit. The purpose of the unit is to increase students' awareness of and interest in astrobiology and the many career opportunities that utilize science, math and technology skills. The lessons are designed for educators to use in conjunction with the Astro-Venture multimedia modules. (View Less)