Page 30 - ShareSpace's Mars Map Teacher's Guide - Sept 2016

2. Assign each group different missions to Mars from the past, present and future. (Mariner
4, 6, 7, & 9; Viking 1 & 2; Mars Observer; Mars Pathfinder; Mars Climate Orbiter; Mars
Polar Lander/Deep Space 2; Mars Global Surveyor; Mars Odyssey; Mars Express; 2003
Mars Exploration Rovers; Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; Phoenix Mars Lander, Mars
Science Laboratory)

3. Explain to the groups that they are to research their assigned mission and answer the
following questions:
a. When did/will the spacecraft launch and how long was it/will it be operational?
b. Was the mission a success (did the spacecraft make it to Mars)? Why or why not?
c. Which type of robot (flyby, orbiter, lander, or rover) is the spacecraft?
d. Why does your group think this type of robot was/will be used for this mission?
e. What did the robot discover about Mars?
f. For future missions, what is the purpose of the robot?

4. Each group should also find the image of their spacecraft on the Mars Map.

EXPLANATION

1. When all groups have found answers to the questions, they will present their findings to the
rest of the class from the location of their assigned spacecraft on the Mars Map.

EXTENSION

1. Mars Exploration timeline: have each team use a picture and info on a notecard that they
have learned about their mission to construct a classroom Mars Exploration timeline.

2. Ask students to make an entry in their STEAM notebooks regarding what they have learned
about their mission (and other missions) in this lesson.

EVALUATION

1. During this lesson, the teacher is encouraged to use formative assessment such as questioning
and examining student responses/notes throughout the lesson to elicit evidence of learning
and deepen student understanding. Teachers may wish to grade student handouts and/or
review students’ STEAM notebooks to formally assess student understanding.

2. Teachers are encouraged to create their own grade-level and ability-level assessment so
as to best meet the needs of their students.

Giant Destination Mars Map Teacher’s Guide
Lesson 4 P. 2