After learning about balanced and unbalanced forces, students will then research famous scientist, Werner von Braun and others in that field. They will then research what it would take to send someone to Mars. The culminating task will be to hold a “talk show” introducing the scientist and a panel of congressional staff to discuss the impact and consequences of going to Mars.

Scientist Top-10 List
Wernher von Braun, whose genius led to the design of the Saturn V rocket that propelled the Apollo spacecraft to the moon, was clearly one of the 20th century’s most influential scientists. Who are some others? Have students develop a top-10 list of 20th-century scientists, including women and minority group members among their choices. Have them prepare a talk show introduction for three of them with the focus of the discussion being about the following:

Should the United States Go to Mars?
Divide the class into two groups, and have each assume the role of congressional staff determined to sell their side of the question before an appropriations vote is taken. Teach presentation skills as part of this activity, and ask each side to consider the following in preparing the presentation:
-The costs in money and resources
-Benefits to be derived from the expenditure
-Other possible allocations for both the funds and the resources needed
-The benefits of using resources in these areas
 
Students should also take into account the following factors:
-The current state of the economy, unemployment, and interest rates
-The environment
-Poverty, the homeless, and other social issues
-The use of technical expertise

Students will use laptop carts or internet labs to do research, then allowed to make a presentation of their choice using power point, video, movie maker, etc.

Teacher, library books, internet, NASA materials