MarsQuest Science Education Content

The focus of MarsQuest is to present Mars via a set of multidisciplinary themes. These ideas are woven throughout the program and help relate the information presented in the show to the lives of students, families, and the general public. Show content is relevant in the following subject areas:

Physical Sciences:

· Positions and motions of Earth and Mars

· Mars and Earth orbits, relative positions over time

· Orbital effects on climate, seasons

Earth and Space Sciences:

· Objects in the sky: Earth, Mars, Mars satellites

· Comparative planetology of Earth and Mars

· Mars environment, climate change, evolution, surface

Life Sciences:

· The search for life on Mars and likely environments where it might exist

Science and Technology:

· Mars through binoculars, telescopes

· Exploration of Mars by spacecraft missions

· Technological challenges of future explorations

· Science drivers for Mars exploration

· Remote sensing and spacecraft

· Technological planning for future Mars studies

History of Science/Science as a Human Endeavor:

· The ancient perception of Mars as a war god

· The scientific exploration of the planet

· Mars in science fiction and fantasy

· Future human exploration of the planet

This show adheres to principles put forth in the National Academy of Sciences’ Education Standards published in 1996. For more details, visit the NAS Standards Web site at: http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/index.html.