13 Videos

  • Looking for Life on Mars

    04:13 duration

    One of the primary goals of the Mars Perseverance Rover is to look for life on the red planet. Learn about how they are going to do it from planetary geologists Dr. Mariah Baker, and Dr. John Grant.

    This video was a part a full episode of STEM in 30 titled ""Perseverance, What it Takes to Explore the Red Planet!""

  • Astronauts on Mars Exploration

    03:17 duration

    What will a trip to Mars be like? What are the challenges? Would you want to visit the red planet? Learn about Mars from NASA Astronauts!

  • Next Generation Spacesuits will be Out of This World!

    02:26 duration

    National Air and Space Museum curator, Cathy Lewis, discusses the future of spacesuits and the lessons learned from Apollo era suits.  
     

  • Rover-view: A Look at the Mars 2020 Rover, Perseverance

    05:03 duration

    Do you know what science instruments are on the Mars 2020 rover? Did you know there is a helicopter on board? Take a deep dive into the Perseverance rover in this Rover-view!

    This video was a part a full episode of STEM in 30 titled ""Perseverance, What it Takes to Explore the Red Planet!""

  • Mars 2020: Entry, Descent and Landing (Seven Minutes of Terror)

    04:00 duration

    Getting to Mars is only the first step in the journey of Mars 2020. The rover, Perseverance, has to make it through the atmosphere and land safely before the science can begin. Learn about entry, descent, and landing, also known as seven minutes of terror.

    This video was a part a full episode of STEM in 30 titled ""Perseverance, What it Takes to Explore the Red Planet!""

  • Jezero Crater - Perseverance Landing Site

    01:56 duration

    Do you know where the Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance is going to land on the red planet? Do you know why they chose that location? Take a look at Jezero Crater with planetary geologist Dr. John Grant.

    This video was a part a full episode of STEM in 30 titled ""Perseverance, What it Takes to Explore the Red Planet!""

  • Moments of a Launch

    Student reporter Jaden Jefferson talks to Jim Norman, director of launch services at NASA, about the upcoming launch of the Perseverance Mars rover.

  • From Hockey Player to Mars Rover Engineer: Kobie Boykins My Path

    02:48 duration

    Kobie Boykins went from being a Division 1 hockey player to working on Mars rovers.  Learn about his path to the red planet.

  • Teacher Resources: Guided Observation

    05:53 duration

    What can you learn from looking at a family portrait? Photos and objects provide amazing opportunities for close looking and student questions. Watch as middle school students look closely at a photo of three Mars rovers to learn more about exploring space.

  • Marsquakes! Detecting Movement on the Red Planet with InSight

    01:48 duration

    Have you ever wondered how the InSight lander on Mars detects Marsquakes? Check out this animation to learn how.  

  • Biosignatures: Try This at Home

    04:26 duration

    We don't expect to see little green aliens running around on the surface of Mars.  Instead the Perseverance rover will be looking for signs of life.  In this Try This at Home demo you can look for signs of life using a few simple materials you may already have, then learn how this experiment is related to what the Mars rover will be doing from planetary geologist Dr. Mariah Baker.

  • Naming the Perseverance Rover

    02:44 duration

    Did you know the name of the latest Mars rover was chosen by a middle school student.  Learn about the process and the reason for the name from Alex Mather in an interview conducted by Student Journalist Jaden Jefferson.

Mars

Known as the Red Planet, Mars has always interested us. Only in recent decades have we come to know our smaller neighbor as a world of great complexity.

Grade Levels

Grades 6 - 8

Subjects

Physical Science

Life Science

Sponsor

Boeing and the International Titanium Association
 

Rights

You are free to use this resource for educational purposes, with attribution. (CC BY-NC)

STEM in 30 Logo

STEM in 30

STEM in 30 was an Emmy-nominated program for middle school students produced by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The team is now producing a new series, On Air.

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