Can Earth be saved… or is Mars our only hope?
Life on Earth is precious and precarious. Every day, more species go extinct as our world becomes more polluted. People are fighting to make a difference—but is it enough? Or should we look to the skies to save our species?
In this project, students learn about the importance of environmental protection, and about the wonders of Mars. They choose whether to support environmental protection or space exploration, and create a commercial to raise money for their cause.
Imagine if students all around the country learned to appreciate the value of our soil, and began looking to the heavens and dreaming of the future—what a wonderful world that would be!
What’s included in your project?
Real-World Connections
Blue Apple Projects provides opportunities for you to “bring the world to your students” by connecting you with industry experts as well as ways to “bring your students to the world” by giving them access to an authentic audience.
Bring the World to Your Students
Skype a Scientist
Lesson 1: Throughout the project, you might feel like it would be awfully handy to have access to your own biologist, ecologist, engineer, social scientist, plant scientist, or astronomer to chat with. Well, the Skype a Scientist program allows you to do just that! After checking out the scope of the project, submit a request to be paired with a scientist in the field of your choice.Real NASA Know-How!
Lesson 2: NASA is interested in hearing the questions and comments of students! Reach out to them to ask questions about their own Mars program.Worms Galore!
Lesson 4: Explore how critical worms are to soil quality by connecting with an expert from the Texas Worm Ranch. She’d love to answer your questions!Tiny Farmers
Lesson 4: Want to learn from a researcher who has spent a lifetime studying how plants and soil are affected by the tiny microbial creatures who live in our dirt? Your Blue Apple project comes with a real-world connection to help you out!Planterrific!
Lesson 5: As you explore what plants might grow on Mars, wouldn’t you like to talk with an expert? Blue Apple can connect you with a professor who would love to share her expertise and answer your students’ questions!Lights, Camera, Action!
Lesson 5: Before students get started with their commercials, share some expert advice from a real film professional!
Bring Your Students to the World
Space Tweets
Lesson 7: Have your Team Red students tweet their commercials to a team of REAL astronauts who would love to see their work!Your Students on TV!
Lesson 9: Create some local celebrities! Select one or two outstanding commercials and send them to a local TV station.Teach the Teachers
Lesson 9: Invite other teachers to your Martian colony presentations and challenge your fellow educators to record new understandings they glean from your students. Similarly, challenge your students to be the ones who fill the teachers’ heads with the most profound new discoveries!Be Talk Show Worthy!
Lesson 8: Help your students spread their enthusiasm by pitching a segment to a popular talk show using the submission links for multiple shows we provide.Meet the Press
Lesson 8: Send a press release to your local media outlets to share with your community how your class is making the world a better place. (New to press releases? Don’t worry-we also provide you with a template and tips on how to submit a press release!)
Each Blue Apple Project Includes:
- Engaging lessons designed to make learning memorable, meaningful, and fun
- Curated online resources to save you time searching for content
- In-person, virtual, and hybrid options for all learning environments
- Cross-curricular mini-lessons in English-Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Social-Emotional Learning
- Videos and contact info provided by real-world experts willing to meet with your students
- Opportunities to collaborate with other classrooms doing the same project
- Free project supplies to get you started right away
