Survive Mars, sounds a little crazy right?
Perhaps it’s time to pick up the pace and learn about science and math.
Since you never know if you’re ever gonna be stranded on Mars alone.
In this blog post, I’ll be talking about the benefit of having deep knowledge of math, physics, and chemistry.
Why Survive Mars and Not Moon?
Okay, I admit, it’s just a little joke about the moon, but you know I’m very serious about the Mars, right?
Have you ever imagine your life living on Mars?
Before you read my story about Mars, let me show you some old philosophy.
According to a famous Chinese proverb, the secret to a problem-free life lies in mastering math, physics, and chemistry.
This might sound like a bold claim, but essentially, this wisdom reflects the fact that each of these subjects works to hone a student’s ability to think rationally.
Understanding math, physics, and chemistry is a necessary first step towards developing strong reasoning skills, which are a critical tool when it comes to exploring nature and society from a scientific perspective.
What relationship, then, do these subjects have to each other?
As both physics and chemistry are based on an understanding of mathematical formulas, math essentially provides the foundation for these other two subjects.
In fact, it is almost impossible to learn either chemistry or physics without first mastering math. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that math is of particular importance in early education.
So let’s begin reading my little story about Mars.
Living on Mars with Minimum Supplies
Many of you will likely be familiar with Andy Weir’s novel The Martian, or with the hit film based on it.
In its setup, the book invokes both mathematical and scientific principles to explain how humankind has finally accomplished a successful mission to Mars.
However, after astronaut Mark Watney faces off with a violent storm soon into the story, he is presumed dead by his team back on Earth and left stranded on Mars.
When he awakes, Mark is alone, injured, and limited to a food supply that will last him only the next few months.
Thankfully, he is optimistic, and has a deep understanding of math, physics and chemistry to draw on.
In another word, he knows what to do on Mars.
Limited Resources on Mars Isn’t a Problem
One by one, he successfully tackles the problems he faces. Leveraging his background as a botanist, he makes farmyard manure and plants a crop of potatoes.
Next, by using iridium as a catalyst to decompose hydrazine (a common rocket fuel) and burning the hydrogen that’s produced, he is able to obtain water.
I believe he learned how to get oxygen on Mars at this point too.
Then, to contend with cold temperatures, he employs plutonium — a strong radioactive material left behind by his spacecraft — as a comforting heat source.
Seriously, he made a survival kit just from things lying around.
Eventually, he even manages to make contact with earth — putting his knowledge to work to return home safe and sound.
This entertaining story is a great demonstration of how a person with the right knowledge is able to brainstorm ingenious solutions in otherwise hopeless situations.
By mastering math, physics, and chemistry, a person can truly soar — in some cases, even all the way back to earth after being left stranded on Mars.
Here’s something you’ll need to consider: help your kids to learn more about science and mathematics.