This full day Professional Learning Program shows teachers how Mars can be used as a stimulating and engaging context to teach geology.
3.8 billion years ago Earth and Mars were very similar. What happened to Mars to make it the cold barren planet it is today? Why is Earth a comparative paradise? What made them different?
Discover what Mars can teach us about the future of our own planet.
Date: Tuesday 17th March 2009 Time: 9:00 – 3:00 Cost: $140 plus GST Maximum participants: 24 RSVP: Friday 6th March 2009
Use your understanding of Martian geology when you suit-up and explore the unique, simulated Mars surface at VSSEC. Collect rock and soil samples for analysis in the laboratory.
The program will showcase a range of hands-on activities teachers can use in the classroom to demonstrate geologic principles.
The program includes:
Geology 101: Earth v Mars
What happened to Mars?
Why did Earth survive?
VSSEC’s Mission to Mars program
How to create a Mission to Mars in the classroom?
Geology experiments and activities to use in the classroom
Guest speaker
Marion Anderson, will work with teachers and presents the latest discoveries from the Mars Rovers, and the recent Phoenix mission.
Teachers attending this program will receive a $50 voucher to be used for any Mission to Mars Program in 2009
This Professional Learning Program complies with the following Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) Standards of Professional Practice for Renewal of Registration:
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Teaching Geology: 
3.8 billion years ago Earth and Mars were very similar. What happened to Mars to make it the cold barren planet it is today? Why is Earth a comparative paradise? What made them different?