Lesson Main Question: Which site should we choose for building our base on Mars?
Lesson Title: The Martian Samples: Decisions (90 min)
Student Section
The Story so Far (5 min)
You have come a long way since you decided on building a base on Mars. You have looked at locations suitable for landing and analysed the first soil samples from the locations to probe the prevalence of Expensium. Now it is up to you to decide where to build your first Mars base. On one side you have NASA, who offers funding if the location of the Mars base is of great scientific interest. On the other side Leon Tusk offers to fund the base if he can extract great amounts of Expensium in the area.
It may be difficult to satisfy both sides, so you will have to decide what is most important for a Mars base. However, you are on a tight schedule, as you have to make a decision while Mars and Earth are still aligned. This only happens every 26 months …
Present your findings (60 min)
Each team presents their findings to the rest of the class. How interesting is your site in terms of scientific and commercial interests? Why should your location be chosen as the Mars base? Is it mainly of scientific or commercial interest?
Discuss the optimal landing site (20 min)
Discuss with your classmates which of the presented sites presents the best option of a landing site.
Make a decision (5 min)
It is time to decide – where will you land? Summarise your decision.
Resources
How to construct a scientific argument (PDF)
Assessment rubric (PDF)
Teacher Section
Description of Lesson
In the narrative for this lesson, the scientists, played by the students, participate in a round table conference where they are asked to present which sites on Mars they would recommend for establishing a manned base. Each group of scientists present their recommendations, and discuss the parameters for their choice. At the end of the conference, the scientists must narrow it down to one or two sites.
Materials List for Lesson
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Make your arguments (25 min)
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Present and assess (15 min)
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The roundtable discussion (30 min)
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Communicate consensus (20 min)
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Lorem ipsum (x min)
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Lorem ipsum (x min)
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Resources
[Links]
Expected Products from Lesson
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