ANGELA M. HOUSAND, PH.D.
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Survival on Mars (NASA)

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What are the most essential items for the survival of settlers and explorers in new worlds?
INSTRUCTIONS: Below you will find 13 survival items. Rank order each item for the purposes of surviving on Mars: 1 is the most important item and continue numbering to 13 to indicate the least important item. For each item, write your reasons for giving the item its ranking and explain how you plan to use the item to help you survive.
Picture
A Life Raft
A self-inflating flotation device
Rank:

Reason:
Picture
Two 45.5 kilogram tanks of oxygen
pressurized tanks of oxygen
Rank:

Reason:
Picture
Space blanket
a thin sheet of plastic material that is coated with a metallic reflecting layer
Rank:

Reason:

Picture
Solar Flashlight
portable light powered by solar batteries
Rank:

Reason:


Picture
Signal Mirror
a handheld mirror
Rank:

Reason:

Picture
38 liters of water
a container of water
Rank:

Reason:
 
Picture
First aid kit
a basic first aid kit with pain medication and medicine for infection
Rank:

Reason:

Picture
Food concentrate
dehydrated food to which water is added 
Rank: 

Reason:

Picture
Magnetic compass
a tool that uses a magnetic field to determine direction 
Rank:

Reason:

Picture
Solar-powered radio receiver-transmitter 
a communication tool powered by the sun
Rank:

Reason:

Picture
Map of Mar’s surface 
a map showing the terrain of Mars
Rank:

Reason:
Picture
Space suit repair kit
materials to repair tiny holes in fabric 
Rank:

Reason:

Picture
Box of matches
wooden sticks with sulfur-treated heads
Rank:

Reason:

Afterward

Survival!  Exploration Then and Now by NASA
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