"That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind!”
- Neil Armstrong

Over fifty years ago, humankind stepped on the moon and the image of the boot tread left behind became iconic. Now, our eyes are set on Mars. By 2035, NASA plans for humans to explore the planet!  

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. NASA describes it this way: “Mars is a dusty, cold, desert world with a very thin atmosphere.” It is one of the most explored bodies in our solar system. Currently, NASA has three spacecrafts in Mars’ orbit and two robots on the surface. The newest rover will land on Mars in February 2021. You will be amazed by the facts and evidence already collected and there is so much more to learn! Apply your creativity and science and math knowledge to explore Mars, the Red Planet.   

Tools 

• Bootprint Worksheet  

• NASA’s Mars for Kids 

• What is Mars? by NASA 

• Mars’ Atmospheric Composition by Space.com

• NASA introduces new spacesuits for the Moon and Mars 

• Mission: Mars (optional reading) 

Steps  

Step 1: Use the resources above (in the Tools section) or other books and videos to learn about the environment on Mars. As you look at the resources, take notes about the conditions: weather, temperature, atmospheric gas composition, gravity, soil composition (e.g. dry or wet, sandy or boulders), and terrain (e.g. mountainous or flat, bodies of water). 

Step 2: Using your notes, make a list of the equipment needed to keep you safe in those conditions and to allow you to walk and possibly work on Mars. For example, on Mars, the atmosphere is made up of 95% carbon dioxide, 2.7% nitrogen, and less than 1% oxygen. The average temperature is minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit or minus 60 degrees Celsius. On Earth, the atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and less than 1% carbon dioxide. The average temperature is 61 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 degrees Celsius. Therefore, your list should include oxygen tanks and a connector hose for flowing oxygen throughout your spacesuit. 

Step 3: Compare your equipment list with the new NASA spacesuits for Mars (in the Tools section). How does your list compare? In particular, focus on the boots: the thickness of the sole, shape, and how they connect to the rest of the spacesuit.  

Step 4: Use the Bootprint Worksheet (in the Tools section) to design your own footprint. What mark do you want to leave behind on the Red Planet? 

Step 5: Share your footprint with us and the world! #SubaruLovesLearning #MissionMars 

To Do or Learn More: 

• Discover all the different Mars explorations: past, present, and future.   

• Meet the twelve people who walked on the moon. You might know about Neil Armstrong’s famous first words (see quote at the start of this activity) from the moon and Buzz Aldrin’s big personality, but what about the others? Among them are many test pilots, including a man who overcame dyslexia, and one who believed in UFOs! 

• NASA Space Place aims to inspire and enrich upper-elementary-aged kids' learning of space and Earth science online through fun games, hands-on activities, informative articles, and engaging short videos. Material and resources are in English and Spanish. Use this site to explore how your footprint might change on a different planet by researching their conditions.  

• Track the 2020 Mission of Perseverance Rover as it cruises to Mars and learn about its mission. Also, get updates when it finally reaches the Red Planet and begins to explore!