As the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Curiosity Rover draw closer, I have been sharing the mission objectives and launch preparations with my 4th and 5th grade math and science students (9-11 year olds). These discussions have been an incredible mix of excitement, fascination, awe, and serious thinking. I asked them, “Why should we go to Mars?” I have collected their responses to share with you here:
Many students responded that they are concerned at the demands humans have placed on our Earth ecosystem. With more than 7 billion people on the planet, they are concerned with the availability of resources and space to support an ever growing population. They also shared concerns with the damage humans have done to the ecosystem and are concerned that human actions may be making the Earth less habitable. From these concerns, they spoke to humans needed other options of places where we can survive. Finding that Mars could support life, might mean that it could be somewhere humans could colonize and take some of the pressure off of Earth. “Curiosity will help us figure out if Mars is safe [for humans].”
Along these lines, some of my students also thought that there might be minerals or other resources on Mars that we could exploit. Things that might lead to new medicines or improve our condition here on Earth in some way.
Many students spoke to the sheer curiosity, sense of adventure, and exploration for the sake of exploration. If we can explore and study it, why not?! “I just want to know if alien life is out there.”
Finally, they also shared their concerns and need for caution as humans explore space. “We already made a bit of a mess here, we don’t want to just junk up Mars the way we have Earth.” Curiosity will help us “understand the Martian ecosystem so we don’t mess it up.” “If we go there, we don’t want to mess it up by doing something wrong.”
Of course my students have a little more information that other children their age might, just because they are in my classes. But at the core of all this is deep thinking about how our planet functions and the needs of living things. They care deeply about their home and their future. To them, Curiosity brings a sense of hope in that future. It sparks the imagination, excites the spirit. We are going to Mars!
Many students responded that they are concerned at the demands humans have placed on our Earth ecosystem. With more than 7 billion people on the planet, they are concerned with the availability of resources and space to support an ever growing population. They also shared concerns with the damage humans have done to the ecosystem and are concerned that human actions may be making the Earth less habitable. From these concerns, they spoke to humans needed other options of places where we can survive. Finding that Mars could support life, might mean that it could be somewhere humans could colonize and take some of the pressure off of Earth. “Curiosity will help us figure out if Mars is safe [for humans].”
Along these lines, some of my students also thought that there might be minerals or other resources on Mars that we could exploit. Things that might lead to new medicines or improve our condition here on Earth in some way.
Many students spoke to the sheer curiosity, sense of adventure, and exploration for the sake of exploration. If we can explore and study it, why not?! “I just want to know if alien life is out there.”
Finally, they also shared their concerns and need for caution as humans explore space. “We already made a bit of a mess here, we don’t want to just junk up Mars the way we have Earth.” Curiosity will help us “understand the Martian ecosystem so we don’t mess it up.” “If we go there, we don’t want to mess it up by doing something wrong.”
Of course my students have a little more information that other children their age might, just because they are in my classes. But at the core of all this is deep thinking about how our planet functions and the needs of living things. They care deeply about their home and their future. To them, Curiosity brings a sense of hope in that future. It sparks the imagination, excites the spirit. We are going to Mars!
Post Script:
I appreciate so much the thoughts of my students and enjoy the discussions we have. I am honored to share their thoughts with my followers. If you care to share your comments, please do so using the Blogger commenting feature and I will share them with my students.
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