Space Camp Day One!

This week is all about space, rockets and launching!
Thanks to Mr. Wulf for sharing this amazing PBL!
Today we listened to an interview on Travel to Mars via NPR.
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/05/131815965/one-way-mission-to-mars

Then students had to answer the following post:
Colonization or Suicide?
Dr. Lynch-Thorpe  

Would it be a suicide mission to send people to Mars if they knew they couldn't return, or would it be more like colonization. State your opinion with evidence from the interview to support your point of view. Then,respond to at least two other responses. Do you agree or not and why?

This is just one example of the excellent responses we got today:

Cheryl H
Mars: Suicide or Colonization?
You all know about the first two people in the United States who stepped on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. That was a big step for mankind for sure, though there is also another planet we are trying to visit…Mars. There is talk about whether this is a colonization or suicide. In my opinion, this is suicide. The definition of colonization if you don’t know, is making a living where there is a civilization. It would take a whole lot of courage and money to live on Mars. I believe that living on Mars is possible some way, though not soon for sure. If you just jump into a rocket, and just fly off to Mars and try to make a living there it’s not going to work. It would take lots of teamwork, money, and especially brave volunteers willing to take this chance. It is my firm belief that Mars is more of a suicide trip than a ‘lets just go live over there on Mars’ trip! When United States tried to walk on the moon, of course it took many tries to finally reach their destination on the Moon without actually either equipment not working or space madness. If that happened, that would probably happen with trying to go to Mars. What are the odds of going in a rocket and living on Mars? I mean really…? It takes much things to get all prepared for making life possible on Mars, though there is a lot of people who really wouldn’t want to go into space. TBC…I will put the rest on later.
My Response:
I have got to say Mari’s essay is very persuading, though I disagree with her on some parts. She had said there is enough liquid and life and it would definitely be possible. I agree that that is possible, though it would take a lot of guts to get all the special equiptment and many people don’t want to. You would be thinking that would be awesome to be living there. Though, it is nothing like Earth. You have to wear special suits, go on special diets, try to adapt to this living. Also, there is a big choice you have to make. This choice is would you rather live on Mars or Earth? It’s your choice, time to decide.

Today

After writing their posts, students shared and wrote a response to what their partner wrote.