My perspective is the Earth will be here. It just may not be habitable to our life form. We get confused. We think we're the center of everything. - Mae Jemison

What does it take to live where you live? People on Earth have adjusted to living almost anywhere on this planet. From the arctic circle to the Sahara Desert, humans have found ways to thrive. In this episode of STEM in 30 we’ll look at living in the extremes, from here on Earth, to Mars, and beyond. We’ll take a deep dive into what it takes for a place to be habitable and how life continues to survive in many forms.  

Learning Standards

Standards: NGSS

  • MS-LS1-1 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes: Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.
  • MS-LS1-5 From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
  • MS-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
  • MS-LS2-2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
  • MS-LS2-3 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
  • MS-LS2-4 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics:Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
     

Teacher Tips

About STEM in 30

STEM in 30 is an Emmy-nominated program for middle school students produced by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. These 30 minute episodes are great for classroom use. New episodes are released every month, featuring hands-on activities, explanations of aviation and space topics aligned with national standards, and interviews with experts from the Museum and beyond.

STEM in 30 is made possible by Amazon, Boeing, and Hexcel.

Created:

February 13, 2025

Photographer:

Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Owner:

Smithsonian Institution

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