Mars, the Planet

ANNOTATED MARS MAPS

Create a map of Mars and find the location and any other interesting information about features on Mars, which include:

  • Olympus Mons

  • Valles Marineris

  • North and South Poles

  • Impact Craters (created by meteorites) in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

  • Mars Explorations Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, and/or the Mars Polar Lander, Phoenix

  • Mars' moons

A Global Map of Mars can be found here (or you can draw your own).


Mark locations of features on the map, and information on a Folded Tab with an illustration, name, further information etc.


When all elements are complete the map can be cut in half and mounted on the outside of the folder.


Stick down the Folded Tabs and draw linking lines to locations on the map.


  • You will find information and statistics about Mars at National Geographic's Mars, The Red Planet

  • More Mars information, including atmosphere, moons, poles etc at Windows to the Universe - Mars

  • Mars information and activities at Enchanted Learning's, The Planets, Mars.

  • A video on YouTube from PBS that compares Mars and Earth and explains, The Weather on Mars

  • Google Earth has a ‘Fly to other planets’ feature, which includes tours, photographs and places of interest on Mars. If you don't have Google Earth installed you can download Google Earth here.

EARTH VS MARS (Layered Book)

To make a Layered Book stack 3 or 4 sheets of paper (add coloured paper if you want), as you fold them over slide them so equal spaced tabs are visible.

Secure with a couple of staples at the top. Fold in half vertically (long-ways) and then cut up from the bottom to within 2-3 cms.

Use the separate tabs to Compare Earth and Mars:

Size

Planetary order from Sun

Atmosphere

Temperature (range & average)

Length of Day

Length of Year

Seasons

MARS WEATHER (Mini-Booklet)

Yes! Mars has weather.

Create a Mini-booklet about the weather on Mars.

  • Take two pieces of paper the same size, and fold them in half.

  • Take one piece of paper and cut a slit along the fold that FINISHES about 2 cm away from the edges.

  • On the other piece make two slits at either end of the fold (about 2 cm).

  • Roll this piece of paper and pass through the slit of the other piece and straighten out so that it fits together as an eight-page booklet.


Find out everything you can about the Weather on Mars, including:

  • Wind

  • Dust storms

  • Clouds

  • Frost and snow


Now you're ready to complete the second part of the project Living and Working on Mars.