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Space

Teacher Resources

Driving Question: How might space exploration increase complexity?

Will we colonize other planets? Is there alien life somewhere in the Universe? Although these questions might be answered in the near future, we could make some predictions now about where we’re headed.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Evaluate the likelihood of humans colonizing other planets.
  2. Explain how space exploration might impact our future.

Vocab Terms:

  • alien
  • colonize
  • exploration
  • magnetic field
  • radiation
  • terraforming
STEP 1

Opener: Space

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page X of the Lesson 7.3 Teaching Guide Locked .

Space has been a theater of the imagination since before we even understood what it was. Let’s do some imagining of our own!

STEP 2

The Final Frontier

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page X of the Lesson 7.3 Teaching Guide Locked .

What does Mars look like? Head to this exchange External link on our online teacher community to hear from the team behind the pictures!

Will we meet extraterrestrial lifeforms in your lifetime? In the lifetime of our species? No one knows, but this video lays out some of the practical considerations of a potential first contact.

Space: The Final Threshold? External link

Coming Soon!
Will the next chapter of the Universe’s story be set beyond Earth or even beyond our Solar System?
STEP 3

The Red Planet

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page X of the Lesson 7.3 Teaching Guide Locked .

Did you hear that? Check out this blog post External link about the benefits of audio recordings as a literacy support for students.

Could we someday inhabit Mars? Is it even a good idea? Let’s see if Martian life sounds like something you’d personally enjoy.

A Day on Mars External link

Could Mars be our new home planet? We know we can land rovers on the “Red Planet” but getting humans there will be trickier.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.

“Unknowns” Podcast Episode 5 Clip External link

Why do we want to go to Mars, and will we have fun once we get there? Big History founder David Christian chats with astrobiologist David Flannery about life on Mars.
STEP 4

Closer: Space

Teaching Tools

To teach this lesson step, refer to page X of the Lesson 7.3 Teaching Guide Locked .