The Science Behind The Martian

Learning Intention: Explore space science ideas with 'The Martian.' 

Learning Tasks

This section of 'To Infinity and Beyond' will focus on the science idea in The Martian, which has been designed as an EdPuzzle so it will stop at different points to ask class-based discussion question, research-style questions, and write in your notebook style questions. 

While students are watching the movie, it helps to have colouring sheets to help keep them off their phones and prevent fidgeting. I highly suggest doing the Collaborate Colouring for Space (see our finished product that now directs the classroom. I'm going to raffle it off at the end of the year for a student to take home) and the Matariki Greeting Cards. 

2. Day 2: How do you make water? - Picked up where the class left off in the last lesson. This lesson, you will probably get up to the point of "Discuss as a class: Who do you think is right, Teddy Sanders (Director of NASA) or Vincent Kapoor (Director of Mars Missions)? How does this relate into the bigger idea that society and government influences scientific progress?" and you will have time to discuss. 

1. 1. • Do Now: Finish up the question from last lesson on hydrogen. 

      • Let's make water! Do a hydrogen pop test. 

      • Notes on the chemical reaction between sulfuric acid and magnesium and hydrogen and oxygen. 

3. Day 3: The Community of Science. - Pick up where the class last left off in the last lesson. This lesson, you will probably get up to the point of "Discuss as a class: What take away message from this interaction about the bigger community of science" and you will have time to discuss. 

1. 1. • Do Now: Why do plants and Mark Watney need water? Look up the photosynthesis equation to help support your answer. (Answer)

      • "In your notebooks: Double check Mark Watney's calculations. He said the next Mars mission is designed to go to a crater 3,200 km away and the rover can only go 35 km until it needs to be recharged. How many days would this trip take him? If your answer doesn't match his, why do you think that is? " (Answer)

4. Day 4: Surviving Mars - Pick up where the class last left off in the last lesson. This lesson, you will probably get up to "Discuss as a class: Do you agree with Teddy's (Director of NASA) decision? Why or why not?"

• Do Now: Pick out one of the Matariki Greeting Cards to colour.

5. Day 5: Caring for others - Pick up where the class left off. Hopefully you will finish the movie in this lesson. 

• Do Now: Read the 'Some Biologists Find an Urge in Human Nature to Help' from The New York Times (adapted reading level with Brisk). While you are reading, highlight/circle/underline any words you don't know. Then your table group writes all the words they don't know on a piece of paper. Have a chat to see if you can help identify the words you don't know without looking it up. Then hand your list to Ms Garlick, who will help unpacks the words we're still not sure about.

This lesson was used on starting on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, Term 2 Week 7  until... and latter is when it was last updated.