Standards
Idaho State Standards
Here are correlations to the Idaho State Language and Math standards and to the Idaho State Science Standards. For more information about the overall standards, see the complete Idaho Content Standards for Science, the Next Generation Science Standards, and the alignment between Idaho and NGSS Science Standards. You may also access the Idaho English Language Arts/Literacy Standards and Mathematics Standards.
Language
Second Grade
ELA-2.W.RW.2
Write arguments that express an opinion supported by details and reasons and provide a concluding sentence.
Suggested Lesson
Share opinions about going to Mars for a visit or to live.
Third Grade
ELA-3.W.RW.3
Write informational texts that introduce the topic, develop the focus with facts and details, and provide a concluding statement.
Suggested Lesson
Write a paragraph outlining what it takes to get a spacecraft to Mars.
Sixth Grade
ELA-6.W.RW.2
Write arguments that introduce and support a distinct point of view with relevant claims, evidence and reasoning; demonstrate an understanding of the topic; and provide a concluding section that follows from the argument presented.
Suggested Lesson
Research and write an informative text piece that explains how the distance and time it takes to travel to Mars creates problems for a manned mission. Include all facts such as resources needed for a trip, time frames, boredom, health concerns, etc.
Math
First Grade
Math-1.MD.A.2
Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps.
Suggested Lesson
Using this diagram as guide, measure the driving distances of the various trips made by Mars rovers. Measure in paperclips, cutouts of the rover, footprints, etc.
Third Grade
Math-3.OA.A.3
Use multiplication and division within 100 to solve word problems in situations involving equal groups, arrays, and measurements by using visual and symbolic representations with a symbol for the unknown number.
Suggested Lesson
Solve this problem: If the Mars Rover drills into the Martian surface 25 feet on day one, how far will the drill go by day 7 if it continues at that speed each day?
Fifth Grade
Math-5.OA.B.3
Generate two numerical patterns using two given rules.
a. Identify apparent relationships between corresponding terms.
b. Form ordered pairs consisting of corresponding terms from the two patterns.
c. Graph the ordered pairs on a coordinate plane.
Suggested Lesson
Create a ratio table to compare clock time on Earth with clock time on Mars. Begin the Earth clock and the Mars clock at the “same time” and count the time as the clocks progress through a day, or make it more complex by progressing through several days.
Science
Third Grade
Physical Sciences: 3-PS-1.2
Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
Supporting Content
The patterns of an object's motion in various situations can be observed and measured; when that past motion exhibits a regular pattern, future motion can be predicted from it.
Fourth Grade
Physical Sciences: 4-PS-2.3
Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information.
Supporting Content
Different solutions need to be tested in order to determine which of them best solves the problem, given the criteria and the constraints.
Sixth Grade
Physical Sciences: MS-PS-2.4
Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on the masses of interacting objects.
Supporting Content
Gravitational forces are always attractive. There is a gravitational force between any two masses, but it is very small except when one or both of the objects have large mass (such as Earth and the Sun.)
Examples of evidence for arguments could include data generated from simulations or digital tools; and charts displaying mass, strength of interaction, distance from the Sun, and orbital periods of objects within the solar system.
Earth and Space Sciences: MS-ESS-1.3
Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
Supporting Content
Emphasis is on the analysis of data from Earth-based instruments, space-based telescopes, and spacecraft to determine similarities and differences among solar system objects. Examples of scale properties include the sizes of an object's layers, surface features, and orbital radius.
Earth and Space Sciences: MS-ESS-1.2
Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the orbital motions within galaxies and the solar system.
Supporting Content
A solar system consists of the Sun and a collection of objects, including planets and their moons, and asteroids that are held in orbit around the Sun by its gravitational pull on them.
The solar system appears to have formed from a disk of dust and gas, drawn together by gravity.
Emphasis for the model is on gravity as the force that holds together the solar system, and controls orbital motions within it. Examples of models can be physical (such as computer visualizations of elliptical orbits) or conceptual (such as mathematical proportions relative to the size of familiar objects.)