| Ultraviolet Radiation. Experiments done for the Licancabur expedition involve Ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. The following link will take you to an external NASA site that has a downloadable lesson plans focusing on the sun and its effects of life on our planet. Specifically, halfway down their page, you will find lesson plans that focus on grades 5-9th grade and the lesson plans entitled "Seeing the Invisible". These lesson plans allow your students the opportunity to discover Ultraviolet and Infrared Radiation that comes from the sun. Utilizing UV beads in part of the lesson will allow your students to observe the changes that occur when UV radiation strikes the beads. http://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/outreach/learn.html
Biology: Aquatic Environments Lesson.
The students will investigate an aquatic – riparian
environment to identify the various living organisms
found at the site. Download
PDF (271KB)
Density Dances Lesson. In this
activity, students are creating a model for the
process that takes place inside the mantle of
the earth. Students reflect upon the parallels
modeled by the experiment and the actual activity
related to convection currents within the earth’s’
mantle and crust. Download
PDF (133KB)
Lake Sedimentology: Soil Particle Layering.
The students will examine soil samples to build
an understanding of soil composition. Download
PDF (113KB)
Mountains of Doom Lesson. This
survey will help understand the dynamic processes
that shaped the crater interior and formed the
lake. Download
PDF (131KB)
Physiology: How Do Your Heart & Lungs
Measure Up? The students will measure
their heart rate and explore conditions that can
affect it. They’ll explore the affects of
various physical activities on their heart rate.
Download PDF
(137KB)
Bathymetry: Seeing What You Cannot See.
The students will imitate mapping the ocean floor
using the basic concepts of radar. Download
PDF (632KB)
Geology, Mars Analog study: The focus of this task will be to identify the origin of rock samples, and how surface core samples can tell us about the history and make-up of Mars. The investigation will also include investigations that teach students how matching known core samples with unknown ones can help identify them. (Adapted from Aerology--the study of mars)
Credit: This activity is adapted from Mission to Mars materials from the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, WA, and Adler Planetarium. Submitted to Live from Mars by April Whitt and Amy Singel, Adler Planetarium. Teacher's Edition created by ASU Mars K-12 Education Outreach Program. Download PDF (75KB)
Biology: this activity simulates conditions on other planets using simple materials. Because the conditions on top of the Licancabur Volcano are so extreme, scientists are studying how life can survive in such extreme conditions: High UV radiation, cold temperatures, and low oxygen levels. The conditions in this environment could be similar to what an early Mars could have been like. Therefore the study of a Mars analog environment and the conditions favorable for life is important to understanding the conditions under which life can survive. Credit: (Adapted from “Planets in a Bottle” by Space Science News, Marshall Space Flight Center) Download PDF (88KB) |
