Process

Each person in the group chooses one of the roles below.  You are responsible for investigating the topics and questions posed for your specific role.  Use the Internet resources that are recommended to get all your facts.  For some of the questions, there will not be clear-cut answers on the Internet sites.  Therefore, if you cannot find a specific answer, you need to use your imagination and background knowledge on the topic to come up with a reasonable response.  As
you are coming up with answers to the questions for
your individual role, record your responses in your
science notebook.  When each group member has completed the research of their individual task, come together and share your findings.  In your group, you will present your findings in the form of a news broadcast that will be aired on Earth.  The purpose of your broadcast is to teach people on Earth about the colony on Mars and recruit more civilians that are willing to live there.  Take a look at the evaluation page to see how your group work and performance will be evaluated.
 
 







BELOW IS A LIST OF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
 

Habitat Specialist

Your job is to find out why colonizing Mars is beneficial for people living on Earth.  Think about the population of humans on Earth.  How fast is it growing?  How many people are born each day?  How many people are born each second?  In how many years will the population double what it is today?  Could we ever run out of space for people to live?  What are some problems on Earth that are caused by the growing human population? (hint: environmental issues.

The World Today: 6 Million Human Beings
Greenpeace
Ozone Action
Ozone Depletion and Environmental Effects
Acid Rain
Indoor Air Quality
A Fresh-Water Contaminants Guide

Do people on Mars have a system of controlling population growth?  If so, what is this system.  If not, why don't they have a system of controlling population growth? Remember, be creative!
 
 

Agriculture and Meteorology Specialist

Your job is to find out what resources humans need in order to survive.  Start out by making a list of things that people need to stay alive.  Mars and Earth are two very different planets -- the same resources are not found on both planets. Is there any water on Mars?  Is there any food that people can eat?

Populations
Food Web

How do people on Mars obtain the resources necessary to survive?    As an agricultural specialist, pay special attention to how plants are grown on Mars.  Remember to use your imagination!

You are also interested in weather on Mars.  What are the weather conditions there?

Mars Climate
Environment- Mars at a Glance

What do the people on Mars do in order to survive these weather conditions?
 
 

Communication and Transportation Specialist

One of your jobs is to find out about how people can travel between Earth and Mars.  How far is the distance between Earth and Mars in miles?  In kilometers?  How long does it take to travel between the two planets?

Mars Fact Sheet

What do people take with them to survive the journey?  What sort of vehicle do people travel in to get from Earth to Mars? Be creative!

Mars Shuttle
Transponder Highway

Another one of your jobs is to find out how people on Mars can communicate with people on Earth.  Is it possible to send email? Talk on the phone?  Send a letter through the mail?  How long would each of these methods take?

Finally, take a look at the geologic features on Mars.  Are there any earthquakes? volcanoes?  What is gravity like on Mars?

Mars Fact Sheet: Gravity on Mars
Surface Features

Considering gravity and terrain conditions, what kinds of vehicles do people on Mars use to get around their planet?
 
 

Recreation and Entertainment Specialist

People on Mars like to have fun too!  Your job is to find out what sorts of things people do on Mars for entertainment.  Variations in gravity and body weight can affect sports and other activities.  These factors are very different on Mars compared to Earth.  How much would you weigh on Mars in pounds?  In kilograms?  What is the difference in gravity between the two planets?

Mars Gravity
Sports Quest - List of Sports

Find out what kind of entertainment and recreation is suitable for an environment like Mars.  Find out about a sport that is played by the people who are colonizing Mars. Use your imagination!
 
 


 
 

Presenting your findings

After you have completed your individual tasks, come together and discuss what you have found out.  As a group, first make a list of all of the differences between Mars and Earth.  Talk to each other about your creative solutions for how you think the people of Mars have changed their lifestyle to survive on this very different planet.  Take turns talking in the group so that everyone gets the opportunity to express their opinions.

Now that you are all experts on the Mars colony lifestyle, you are going to report your findings to the people of Earth!  You will present your findings in the form of an approximately 10-15 minute news broadcast.  You will tape this broadcast, or present it live in front of your class on the day that your presentation is due.

There are certain elements of broadcasting that you should consider when you are planning and performing this presentation.  It would be a great idea to watch the news on television, and pay special attention to the different types of stories that are covered and how broadcasters present the stories.
Good Luck on your mission!