Audience
Educators, Students
Grade Levels
Grades K-4, Grades 5-8, Informal Education
Subject
Careers, Life Science, Animals and Plants
Type
Videos
NASA Role Model: Moogega Cooper
NASA Center: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Topic: NASA Scientist, Planetary Protection Lead, Perseverance
Original Air Date: March 30, 2020
Have you ever wondered if microbes could survive a trip to Mars? While most bacteria could not survive the extreme conditions encountered on the way to Mars, one type of bacteria, called bacterial endospores, could. Meet Dr. Moogega Cooper, a scientist who makes sure spacecraft are clean before leaving the planet to prevent contaminating Mars with Earth bacteria.
STEM Short Activity: Looking for Life
Objective: Use research to develop an operational definition of life, and then use the fundamental criteria for life to examine simulated extraterrestrial soil samples for signs of life.
Duration: 30-60 minutes
Materials Needed: Hand lenses, small containers, clean play sand, sugar, yeast, antacid tablet, warm water, cup, paper towels
Difficulty: Easy
Next Generation Science Standards: 4-LS1-1, MS-LS1-1, MS-LS1-5