Presentations, Books, and Websites
PRESENTATIONS
The presentations on this page are those made by NASA scientists at the Explore training workshops. They are intended to provide background information for program providers, and not to be used directly in youth programs. Be sure to explore the notes sections for additional information and image credits. These external resources are not necessarily 508 compliant.
Next Stop: Mars (2 MB PowerPoint)
Drs. Walter Kiefer and Stephanie Shipp, The Lunar and Planetary InstituteMars: Shaping the Surface
Dr. Tomasz Stepinski, The Lunar and Planetary InstituteInside Mars
Dr. Walter Kiefer, The Lunar and Planetary InstituteExploring Mars (15 MB PowerPoint)
Drs. Walter Kiefer and Stephanie Shipp, The Lunar and Planetary Institute
Be sure to connect with scientists and engineers and space enthusiasts in your own region! Don't be shy - many of these individuals are more than happy to visit your program and share their knowledge!
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
Find the contact information for museums, science centers, planetariums, observatories, and astronomical societies in your neighborhood using Sky & Telescope's search tool.
http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/directory.htm
Locate a Solar System Ambassador in your area. The Solar System Ambassadors program, directed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, trains space enthusiasts to share the latest mission and space science information with their communities.
http://calspace.ucsd.edu/spacegrant/webmap/sg_homepages.html
Contact scientists and engineers involved in space sciences through your state's NASA's Space Grant Program. Share your needs with the Space Grant Outreach Coordinator or, if you can't find the right person to contact, communicate with the program Director.
Great Listening Resources
These 90-second broadcasts from Earth and Sky are great ways to start conversations with children and adults as you begin your program.
100 days on Mars: broadcast and 7 minute interview of scientists who simulated the experience of living in an isolated, Martian-like environment, and did science in space suits.
http://www.earthsky.org/clear-voices/51837/kim-binstead
Did Early Life Originate on Mars?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/49043/did-earthly-life-originate-on-mars
Mars Weather and Atmosphere
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/45194/mars-weather
Why is Mars so cold?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48382/why-is-mars-so-cold
Kids Earth and Sky. Goldilocks: why is Venus too hot, Mars too cold, and Earth juuuuuuuust right for life today?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/46166/goldilocks
The Goldilocks Problem
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/45699/the-goldilocks-problem
Chile’s Atacama Desert Helps Scientists “Recreate” Mars
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/51084/expert-atacama-desert-nearest-mars-analog
Earth’s Desert has Mars-like Soil
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/49002/atacama-desert-has-marslike-soil
The Search for Life on Mars … in Canada http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48842/drilling-in-canada-aids-martian-life-search
Future Spacecraft may have Small Drills to Search for Life
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/45327/mars-drill
Cave Life may Hold Clues for Life on Mars
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48743/cave-life-studied-for-martian-clues
Does the Planet Mars have a North Star?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48451/does-the-planet-mars-have-a-north-star
What Would the Human Voice Sound like on Mars?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48536/what-would-a-human-voice-sounds-like-on-mars
What is Sound on Mars Like?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48467/what-is-sound-on-mars-like
What do the Two Martian moons – Phobos and Deimos – look like from the surface of Mars?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/45283/phobos-and-deimos
Smart Rovers?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/45481/smart-mars-rovers
First Airplane Designed for Mars
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/49181/first-airplane-designed-for-mars
Sundials on Mars
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/48534/sundials-on-mars
What would you eat on Mars?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/51825/mars-food
Kids Earth and Sky. What would happen to an apple on the surface of Mars?
http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/46183/mars-apple
BOOKS
Mars (Planets). Darlene R. Stille. Child's World. 2003. ISBN-10: 1592960502.
Mars simply introduces the planet Mars, its size, location, climate, characteristics, and satellites. This is a great beginners book for ages 4-8.
Destination: Mars. Seymour Simon. HarperTrophy; Reprint edition. 2004. ISBN-10: 0060546387.
This book includes new pictures from the Mars Orbiter Camera, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Pathfinder lander. It also reflects NASA missions that gathered information about Mars in the late 1990s. Appropriate for ages 4-8.
Mission to Mars (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2). Franklyn M. Branley. HarperTrophy. 2002. ISBN-10: 0064452336.
Children ages 4 to 8 will enjoy this exploration of what it would be like to live on Mars, from the challenges of the environment to the practicalities of supporting a colony. Imaginations are invited!
Mars. Larry Dane Brimner. Children's Press (CT). 1999. ISBN-10: 0516264354.
This book, great for ages 4-8, very simply describes how Mars was named. It discusses past, present, and future missions to Mars as well as why humans want to go to Mars.
Messages from Mars. Loreen Leedy and Andrew Schuerger. Holiday House. 2006. ISBN-10: 0823419541.
A team of future explorers travel to Mars and report back about the journey, Mars, and comparisons between Mars and Earth. For ages 7-9.
Max Goes to Mars: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog. Jeffrey Bennett. Big Kid Science. 2003. ISBN-10: 0972181911
Children ages 9 to 12 will enjoy following Max the Dog on the first human journey to Mars. Along the way, they will learn about this mysterious Red Planet and what scientists are discovering.
Mars (DK Eyewitness Books). DK Publishing. 2004. ISBN-10: 0756607655
Children ages 9 to 12 learn about the Red Planet, from its importance in early cultures, to past, present, and future exploration.
Exploring Planet Mars (Humans in Space). David Jefferis. Crabtree Children's Books. 2007. ISBN-10: 0778731146.
How will we get to Mars? This book, for children ages 9-12, examines flight to Mars and the features of the planet.
Life on Mars. David Getz, Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); Revised edition 2004. ISBN-10: 0805077294.
This book for 9-12 year olds begins with an imaginary space flight from Earth to Mars. Getz shows how our knowledge of Mars has changed over time, relates the findings of the Viking landers, considers what scientists think is necessary for life, and discusses how Mars might be terraformed into a planet hospitable for human life.
Exploring Mars. David Ward. Lerner Publications. 2006. ISBN-10: 0822559366.
Children ages 9-12 will learn all about Mars with this exciting book. The topics include an introduction to Mars and it’s moons, past missions to Mars, future missions to Mars, the possibility of water on Mars and the possibility of people living on Mars! It also includes additional reading suggestions and websites.
The Ultimate Mars Rover. David Eckold. DK Children. 2004. ISBN-10: 075660799X.
This is a great game as well as a tool for learning for children ages 9 to 12. Players learn about Mars as they simulate a rover mission on the surface of the Red planet.
How To Live on Mars. Clive Gifford. Franklin Watts. 2000. ISBN-10: 053116201X.
What would it be like to live on Mars? How long will it take to get there? What might we learn? Children ages 9-12 explore these questions as they learn How to Live on Mars.
Mars (Our Solar System). Dana Meachen Rau. Compass Point Books. 2002. ISBN-10: 0756501997.
Children ages 9 to 12 will enjoy this well-illustrated exploration of Mars, its orbit, structure, and missions that have – or will - visit. The author offers an extensive list of Web sites and books for further investigation.
Mars: The Mystery Unfolds. Peter John Cattermole. Oxford University Press, USA. 2001. ISBN-10: 0195217268.
Scientific evidence from Mars indicates a very different planet from the one we know today. Rather than a cold, dry planet, Mars-of-the-past had rivers, lakes, glaciers, and huge active volcanoes. Children ages 9-12 will enjoy learning about Mars and its history – including the history of exploration.
Exploration of Mars (Fast Forward). Mark Bergin. Franklin Watts. 2000. ISBN-10: 0531148076.
What will humans need to survive on the red planet? Children ages 9 to 12 learn about past, present and future missions and the possibility of future human colonies.
Mars (Isaac Asimov's 21st Century Library of the Universe. Solar System). Isaac Asimov. Prometheus Books. 2003. ISBN-10: 1591021243.
A "Mars standard," this book for children ages 9 to 12 provides a good overview of the red planet.
Mars (Galaxy). Steven L. Kipp. Capstone Press. 2006. ISBN-10: 073688887X.
NASA photographs help readers, ages 9 to 12, see the beauty of each planet and Sun. Solar System diagrams help readers visualize the planet's place in space. Kipp examines surface features, atmosphere, exploration, and other aspects of the planet Mars.
Is There Life on Mars? Dennis Brindell Fradin and Margaret K. McElderry. 1999. ISBN-10: 0689820488.
Children, ages 9 to 12, explore Mars and how humans of different cultures have regarded it through time.
WEBSITES
Volcanos
http://volcano.und.edu/
Volcano World provides current, accessible information about volcanos on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system. Lots of information is provided about volcanos on Mars. There are activities and games for children ages 5 and older Be sure to take the virtual tours!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/interactive/
index.html?section=v National Geographic presents an overview of volcanos, how they form, and where they occur. For children ages 10 and older.
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/pompeii/interactive/interactive.html
Interactive volcano explorer from the Discovery Channel for children ages 10 and older.
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/volcanoes/
A fantastic site about prediction of volcanic eruptions, with information about how and where volcanos form. The text is a little advanced, but great for parents and children ages 12 and up. Several resources are provided for those who wish to delve deeper into the wonders of volcanos.
http://sciencebulletins.amnh.org/earth/
The American Museum of Natural History provides daily tracking of volcanic eruptions across the world for ages 12 and older.
http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/explorer/
topic_hazards_volcanoes.asp
U.S. Geological Survey's Earth Science Learning Lab includes lots of information about volcanos and volcano monitoring, as well as links to sites for further exploration for ages 12 and older. A teacher's guide includes several lesson plans about volcanos, eruptions, and impacts on humans (http://interactive2.usgs.gov/learningweb/teachers/volcanoes.htm)
Impacts
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Interior_Structure/
crater.html
Windows to the Universe shares impact craters on Earth for children ages 8 and older. All information is presented in English and Spanish and at several learning levels.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/asteroids/index.html
Earth Protection Agents: Gear up! The National Geographic Magazine investigates several past impacts on Earth. For ages 10 and older.
http://exploratorium.edu/exploring/space/index.html
Exploratorium Magazine Online examines what causes impact craters in this site for children ages 12 and older.
http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/exhibits/craters/impact_home.html
An overview of impacts on Earth and the probability of future impact for children ages 14 and older. The site includes an on-line quiz.
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/tercrate.htm
General information on impact craters with images and definitions of terms for ages 14 and older.
http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Dec97/impactBlast.html
An article for young adults that examines the impact of the Meteor Crater impact – and relates it to possible future impacts.
Plate Tectonics
http://www.geophysics.rice.edu/plateboundary/
Discovering Plate Boundaries is a data-rich inquiry activity in which children explore the processes that occur at plate boundaries (volcanos, earthquakes, formation and destruction of the sea floor, and the related physical features).
Mars
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/mars/ Enchanted Learning is a great site for easy to understand information about the planets. Games, coloring pages, quizzes, and resources are also provided. Great for ages 5 and up.
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mars.htm Kids Astronomy is great for kids ages 5-8. It provides very basic information about Mars and its moons.
http://kids.nineplanets.org/mars.htm The Nine Planets website for kids is suitable for ages 6 to 10. It provides very basic information about the planet’s surface features, weather, ice caps and more.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mars/mars.html
Children ages 8 and older can explore all about Mars with Windows to the Universe. All information is presented in English and Spanish and at several learning levels. Be sure to check out the numerous tours of Mars and its features and history at: http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/cool_stuff/tours_main.html
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/mars_explorer.htm
Kids Astronomy discusses topics like the possibility of life on Mars, missions to Mars and the future of the Red Planet. This simple text and format is great for ages 8 and older.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1
/mars.html This website discusses in basic terms different aspects of Mars such as its surface features, temperatures, atmosphere, and missions. This site is good for young audiences ages 8 and up.
http://spacekids.hq.nasa.gov/osskids/mars/index.htm
Is there or was there ever life on Mars? Check out this site to get all the information on why we want to explore Mars and why we think there might have been life on Mars. It’s a great site for parents and children ages 12 and up.
http://www.nineplanets.org/mars.html Nine Planets offers a plethora of information about Mars from its location in the solar system to information about the many missions to Mars. It discusses its land features, satellites, and much more! Appropriate for ages 12 and older.
http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Archive/Archive-Mars.html
Young adults will find these articles about Mars and the scientific research about possible life on Mars (http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Archive/Archive-MarsLife.html) very informative.
http://www.patrawlings.com/default.cfm
Lunar bases, Mars colonies, spacecraft and more come alive though Pat Rawling's fabulous art. Many of the pieces are available for use in your public programs, including those done for NASA and JPL. Check out the copyright information at: http://www.patrawlings.com/copyright.cfm.
Mars Missions!
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/
Keep track of past, present, and planned future Mars missions through NASA's Mars Exploration Home page. Mission links, images, and educational material are presented for audiences of different ages.
http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/home/
Catch up on the latest news from the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, at their home Web site. Be sure to explore the Kids site at: http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/funzone_flash.html.
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/
Follow the latest rover of the Phoenix Mission as it investigates the polar region of Mars, searching for more in formation about the history of water on this near-by neighbor.
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=9
Mars Express is a joint mission, led by the European Space Agency, with NASA instrumentation aboard. The mission's main purpose is to search for evidence of water beneath the surface. Stunning images of the surface of Mars have been returned as this spacecraft orbits the planet.
http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/odyssey/
Mars Odyssey is mapping the surface features and minerals on the surface of the red planet to help scientists understand the planet's climate and geologic history.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is providing information about the surface, subsurface, and atmosphere of Mars. This information will help NASA identify landing sites for future missions.
http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/msl.html
The Mars Science Laboratory will launch in 2009. This rover will roam the surface, gathering more information about the environment and history of Mars, and testing new "smart rover" technology, helping NASA plan for rover exploration of hard-to-reach locations not appropriate for human investigation.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/index.html
NASA's plans for exploring the Moon, Mars and Beyond! For the latest on space craft, robots, and the technology that makes our exploration of the solar system possible, check out NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at: http://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esmd/home/index.html. This site contains numerous short, engaging video clips that can enhance your programs.
