Printable case study kit
Mars Colony
Daily life on the red planet rewrites what “on time” means.
Mars · Medium · 10 min read
Read the story: /vignettes/mars-colony
📄 Student worksheet
After reading “Mars Colony,” complete the tasks below. Use the story, sidebar metrics, and Mars time facts.
- Summarize the main conflict in “Mars Colony” in 2–3 sentences.
- Pick one metric from the case study sidebar and explain why it matters to the characters.
- Name one habit from Earth that would NOT work on Mars without change.
- Propose one new rule, ritual, or invention colonists might adopt.
| Concept from story | Earth habit | On-world change | Your solution |
|---|---|---|---|
Try the planetary age calculator with your birthdate. Open calculator →
🎤 5-minute read-aloud script
Read aloud in class or at home (~5 minutes).
Today we are exploring Mars Colony from Time Across the Solar System.
Remember: a year is one trip around the Sun, and a day is how long a world spins—or how long the Sun takes to cross the sky.
Colony schedules blend Earth meetings with sol-based local life.
As you listen, picture how characters must plan ahead because clocks and seasons do not match Earth.
Successful colonies run on hybrid clocks—respecting both Earth and local sols.
Discuss with someone nearby: what surprised you most, and what would be hardest for you?
Visit tatssp.com/calculator to see your own age on different worlds.
📊 Timeline & metrics (printable)
- 🌅 Sol dawn — Habitat wake-up: 37-minute drift noted on Earth call board
- 🌿 Mid-sol — Greenhouse shift: Water recycled, time logged
- 🏛️ Evening — Town meeting: Vote on festival date
- 📰 Night — Earth news delay: Headlines 4 minutes old
🗣️ Discussion guide
Successful colonies run on hybrid clocks—respecting both Earth and local sols.
For Parents
- What would surprise you most about life in this story?
- How would you explain local time to a child?
For Educators
- What science topics does this story illustrate?
- How could students model this planet’s day/year?
For Students
- Would you want to live where this story is set? Why?
- What habit would be hardest to change?