Super engaging interactive, designed for use in high school, gives students a mission: how could you modify Mars to support flowing liquid water? The lesson encourages students to think like scientists. They view images of Martian surfaces to look for evidence of past lakes and rivers; view authentic NASA-SOHO video of solar wind streaming from the Sun; and watch animations of Earth's magnetosphere as a "shield". Using guidelines from the MAVEN mission, students will interactively do a "Planet Makeover" for Mars by setting parameters for atmospheric thickness and greenhouse strength. Throughout the lesson, students must consider the role of planetary magnetic fields for supporting life. Note: Screen reader accommodations are available for visually impaired learners if you open the lesson in the Explorer browser. Resource developed by LASP: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

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One way to observe a magnetic field is through use of a substance called ferrofluid, a "soft" magnetic material. In this hands-on lab, students use laser printer toner and mineral oil to create ferrofluids and then investigate how they respond to the presence of a magnetic compass and permanent magnets. Resource includes Lab Procedures, background information, and robust discussion questions that add context to the lesson. Can be adapted for all secondary grades. All online; compatible with mobile devices.

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If you'd like to do a "tech-free" lesson on building a magnetic field planet model and magnetometer, try this one from Windows To The Universe. No mobile phones or apps required. The magnetic "core" will be built out of a dead D battery and donut magnets. The magnetometer is constructed with steel straight pins, plastic straw, masking tape, sewing thread, and a permanent magnet. Note: The dead batteries in this lesson are used only for their steel casing. Battery recycling centers will probably gladly let you take dead batteries home for free.

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