Mars Activities
The lessons below are teacher-favorite lessons focused on the Red Planet. For more search options or to search by other science target, missions and other criteria, visit our Fast Lesson Finder. You can also search by curriculum standards on our popular Curriculum Standards Quilts.
Mars Lessons:
Goldilocks and the Three Planets (Main Portal)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Venus, Earth, Mars
Short Description: Students determine what some of Earth, Venus and Mars' atmosphere is composed of and then mathematically compare the amount of the greenhouse gas, CO2, on the planets Venus, Earth and Mars in order to determine which has the most. Link to the interactive feature.
Goldilocks and the Three Planets (Student Handout)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Venus, Earth, Mars
Short Description: Students determine what some of Earth, Venus and Mars' atmosphere is composed of and then mathematically compare the amount of the greenhouse gas, CO2, on the planets Venus, Earth and Mars in order to determine which has the most. Link to the interactive feature.
Goldilocks and the Three Planets (Teacher's Packet)
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Venus, Earth, Mars
Short Description: Students determine what some of Earth, Venus and Mars' atmosphere is composed of and then mathematically compare the amount of the greenhouse gas, CO2, on the planets Venus, Earth and Mars in order to determine which has the most. Link to the interactive feature.
Inside Mars -- Puzzling Patterns -- Where Does Volcanism Occur?
Topic: Comparing Solar System Objects
Grade Level: K-4, 5-8
Body: Earth, Mars
Short Description: Students compare volcano maps of Earth and Mars and identify patterns, similarities and differences.
Investigating the Dynamic Martian Polar Caps
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Earth, Mars
Short Description: Students use internet resources and image processing to measure and compare the Martian and terrestrial polar caps at different seasons, and analyze their results.
Is There Liquid Water on Mars?
Topic: Planetary Surface Processes
Grade Level: 9-12
Body: Mars
Mission: Mars Recon Orbiter (Mars)
Short Description: Participants consider the likelihood of liquid water on Mars while analyzing actual data and images of the Martian surface.
Lava Layering
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: K-4, 5-8
Body: Mars
Short Description: Students will sequence lava flows produced by multiple eruptions. Baking soda, vinegar, and play dough, are used to model fluid lava flows. Students will be asked to observe where the flows travel, make a model, and interpret the stratigraphy.
Lesson 15: Egg Drop Lander
Topic: Modeling Solar System Objects
Grade Level: 5-8
Body: Mars
Mission: Phoenix (Mars)
Short Description: One important tool used by modern planetary scientists is a lander. In this activity, students model a mechanism for safely delivering a lander to the surface of another world.
Let's Investigate Mars Activity (For Educators)
Grade Level: K-4, 5-8
Body: Mars
Mission: Spirit/Opportunity (Mars)
Short Description: This lesson will help your students answer the question: "What do I need to know about Mars in order to live there in the future?"
Let's Investigate Mars Activity (For Students)
Grade Level: K-4, 5-8
Body: Mars
Mission: Spirit/Opportunity (Mars)
Short Description: This lesson will help your students answer the question: "What do I need to know about Mars in order to live there in the future?"
