Contextualization

Life outside Earth. A concept that goes beyond the confines of our own existence, leading us to travel through the vast space in search for answers that are perhaps much further than our own comprehension. Since early times, humans have looked at the starry sky and wondered if we are alone in this immense universe.

Therefore, the search for life beyond Earth is a topic that fills human curiosity, fueling our most audacious fantasies and reinforcing the irrepressible desire to sail among the stars. Through science, we have the chance to transform our curiosity into knowledge, and what once was just a dream has the chance to become an achievable truth.

The possibility of life outside Earth encompasses disciplines such as biology, astrophysics, chemistry, geology, and philosophy itself. It allows us to question our notions of life, to improve our understanding of the universe, and even reinvent our place in the cosmos.

The study of the conditions necessary for the survival of life, the characteristics of the planets, and the time and space involved in interplanetary and interstellar travel, gives us a unique opportunity to explore a topic of extreme relevance for the advancement of science and for our own evolution as species.

These discussions have very real and current implications. The search for life outside Earth directs our efforts of space exploration and influences the way we think about sustainability on our own planet. Being aware that we are just a small part of a much larger universe may inspire a greater respect and care for our own home.

You are about to embark on a journey of discovery and learning, researching, debating, and reflecting on these concepts. To help you on this journey, here are some reliable sources in Portuguese that you can use to base yourself on and deepen your knowledge on the topic:

• Superinteressante Magazine: Is there life outside Earth?
• YouTube Channel: Science Every Day
• G1 News Portal: Science and Health Section
• NASA's official website in Portuguese

Hands-on Activity - Designing a Space Mission

Project Goal

The main goal of this project is to let you explore the possibilities of life outside Earth and the challenges associated with space exploration.

Project Description

In this project, divided into groups of 3 to 5 students, you will "create" a space mission planned to search for signs of life in another part of the solar system. The mission's destination is Jupiter's satellite, Europa, considered to be one of the most promising places to search for life outside Earth.

Required Materials

There is no need for physical materials to carry out this project. Only your imagination, research skills, and teamwork will be needed.

Step by Step

1. Research and Planning (1 hour): Research the conditions on Europa and the challenges of sending a space mission there. Think about all the variables - travel distance, environmental conditions, type of life that could exist, etc.

2. Mission Design (1 hour): Based on your research, design your mission. This should include: the spacecraft that will be used, the equipment and instruments it will carry, the scientific objectives of the mission, and how the mission will search for signs of life.

3. Report Preparation (2 hours): The group should now prepare a detailed report of the entire activity. The report should include the following topics:

   • Introduction: Contextualize the topic, its relevance, and real-world application. Make the objective of the project explicit.

   • Development: Explain the theory behind the project's central topic. Detail the activity, the methodology used to carry out the work, and present and discuss the results obtained.

   • Conclusions: Highlight the main points of the project, the lessons learned, and the conclusions about the project.

   • Bibliography: Indicate the sources used for the development of the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Project Deliverables

The final deliverable of the project will be the detailed report of all the work carried out. It should be formatted according to the topics presented above.

• The report should clearly demonstrate the group's understanding of the possibility and challenges of life outside Earth.
• The report should also clearly connect the practical activity carried out (mission planning) with the theory discussed.
• More than simply delivering a project, the goal here is for you to demonstrate that you were able to delve into the topic and that you were able to apply complex concepts in a practical way.

Remember: the quality of the report reflects the quality of the project as a whole. Therefore, invest the necessary time to do a good job and show what you have learned about life outside Earth.