NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Image above: NASA scientists are testing spacesuits and technologies in preparation for charting a bold new course into the cosmos. Credit: NASA

In the coming years, NASA will fulfill its Vision for Space Exploration by sending robotic missions to the moon to prepare the way for humans to return. Spirit and Opportunity are still going strong on Mars, and in 2005 the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will look for water below Mars' surface and scout for future landing sites. Enhance your classroom science resources and tune in during the week of February 14 through February 20, 2005, as NASA TV features NASA educational videos about the moon, Mars and the Vision for Space Exploration.

NASA TV Education Schedule
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This 'Extra' feature highlights educational products, multimedia, and assorted other materials and Web sites related to "Back to the Moon and On to Mars."


NASA Educational Products

Image above: NASA Educational Products are available online. Credit: NASA

Exploring the Moon Educator Guide (Grades 4-12)
This teacher's guide has been designed for use in upper elementary through high school. Provided in the guide is background information about the moon. The activities are divided into three units: Pre-Apollo, Learning from Apollo, and the Future.
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Is There Water on Mars (Grades 9-12)
Investigations in this NASA Educator Guide explore the question of whether there is water on Mars.
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Planetary Geology Educator Guide (Grades 5-College)
This educator's guide features exercises grouped into five units: 1) introduction to geologic processes, 2) impact cratering activities, 3) planetary atmosphere, 4) planetary surfaces, and 5) geologic mapping.
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Mars Lithograph (Grades K-12)
The planet Mars is shown in this picture with its northern polar cap and Valles Marineris. Also featured are the three Tharsis volcanoes, Olympus Mons and gullies with very sharp, deep, V-shaped channels.
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Earth's Moon Lithograph (Grades K-12)
The images on this lithograph show the face of the moon taken by Apollo 11 astronauts. Astronauts Edwin Aldrin, Pete Conrad and Harrison Schmitt are shown in other photographs on missions to the lunar surface. There's also a picture of an Apollo 15 moon rock.
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Solar System Lithograph Set (Grades K-12)
This set includes 15 educational lithographs. Each one contains images, fast facts, significant dates and background information about a planet or solar body.
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NASA Educational Multimedia Materials

Image above: NASA develops multimedia resources for educators.

Visit the Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE) which serves as the worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced multimedia materials. CORE offers 'Education Modules' which are bundled by topic and may include CD-ROMs, videotapes, educator guides, posters, lithographs, books, lesson plans, bookmarks, fact sheets, slide sets and activity kits.

CORE has the Moon Module and the Mars Module related to this theme.

For materials related to Earth's moon and Mars, click on 'Search Catalog' and enter the keywords "moon" or "Mars."
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Online Educational Activities

Those Whirling, Twirling Planets (Grades K-4) Students will learn the names, order, diameters, and simple characteristics of the planets. + View site

Test a New Spacecraft Material (Grades 5-8) You have invented a new material to use for the fuel tanks on a spacecraft. But before you send your new material into the harsh environment of space, you must test it on Earth in a space-like situation. + View site

MARSDIAL Classroom Activities (Grades 6-8) One of the fundamental problems faced by the early explorers was figuring out where they were and which direction they were headed. Students will gain an understanding of how local solar time differs from clock and learn how to find true north so that they can begin to navigate without the use of modern technology. + View site

IMAGE - Space Science Problem of the Week (Grades 8-12) This web page contains the individual problem sets for the IMAGE Weekly Space Science Problem program. Each file is in ready-to-go, Microsoft Word format so that you can download and modify them to suit your classroom needs! + View site

Tutorials

Facts About Mars and the Moon for Younger Students
Read about the Apollo explorers and the characteristics of Mars and the moon.
Mars
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Moon
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Facts About Mars and Moon
World Book Encyclopedia and NASA are working together to provide World Book content to NASA Internet visitors. Check out these pages about Mars and Earth's moon.
Mars
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Moon
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Cool Sites & Hot Activities

Red Rover If crews travel to Mars and beyond, NASA needs to create new programs to better prepare astronauts for these longer missions. Try this activity and design a program to prepare astronauts for the harsh environment of long-term space travel. + View site

Imagine Mars The Imagine Mars Project Web site is your portal to simple lesson plans and resources to launch K-12 students on an exciting journey. Participation can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. + View site

Latest Mars Rover Updates Look at the latest pictures taken by the Mars Exploration rovers and find out about their recent discoveries. + View site

3-D Mars Rover Game Control the virtual rover and collect rock samples on the surface of Mars. + View site

SkyWatch Visit NASA's SkyWatch to get Space Station viewing times in your area. + View site

Fly Through a Tiny Space Maze How fast can you work your way through this maze? Navigate the miniature spacecraft and try all three levels: easy, medium and hard. + View site

Interact with NASA!

Images / Videos / Webcasts / Interactive

Vision for Space Exploration Images
Check out these artists' renditions of future explorations of the moon and Mars.
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3-2-1 Blastoff!
NASA is going to the moon, Mars and beyond! What will you be doing in the year 2020?
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One Year on Mars
In January 2004, Mars had two new visitors. The Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, were about to begin an amazing year of exploration. Look back at their scientific adventures and discoveries, and stay tuned as the rovers welcome a brand new year on Mars.
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Making the Vision Reality
Find out what NASA did in 2004 to bring us one year closer to making the vision a reality.
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Spacebots
K-12 students embarking on this virtual experience to the Digital Learning Network will learn about NASA's use of robots from professionals who are designing and building the robotic systems that will help humans explore the universe.
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Center for Mars Exploration - Online Mars Movies
Watch these Quicktime™ movies about Mars and Exploration.
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NASA SCI Files™: The Case of the Galactic Vacation
The tree house detectives go galactic with their latest projects as they learn how long it will take to travel to Mars and how the moon affects the Earth. Visit the largest radio telescope in the world and help look for intelligent life in the universe. Join the tree house detectives for an "out-of-this-world" vacation as they explore the future of space travel.
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Explore the Space Station
Check out this interactive view of the International Space Station.
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The Apollo Gallery
Return to the explorations of Neil Armstrong and other lunar explorers by browsing this gallery of pictures taken during the Apollo missions to the moon.
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Videos Showcased in the February 2005 Education File Schedule
Countdown to Mars; Destination Tomorrow™: Programs 14, 15 and 16; Better Health From Space to Earth; Bouncing to Mars; First Look; Case of the Great Space Exploration; Case of the Galactic Vacation; Eyes Over Mars; Rocket to the Stars; Water Below the Surface of Mars; New Views; and Dressed for Space.

Videos are available from the Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE).
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Additional Resources

The Vision for Space Exploration
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Exploration Systems Mission Directorate - Moon, Mars & Beyond
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NASA's Mars Exploration Mission
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One Year Later: Vision Coming Into Focus
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NASA History Office - "Why We Explore"
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Return to Flight
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Moon - Mars: The Vision for Space Exploration
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NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Robotics Page
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Mars Educational Resources
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Moon Educational Resources
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Join the NASA Education EXPRESS mailing list to receive announcements of new NASA educational publications, Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE) multimedia materials and other opportunities for educators.


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