Challenge: Design a Martian

Ms. Horowits - Team 1
Samantha, Gregory, Alexa and Andrew
Shore Road School, Bellmore, Long Island, NY

This creature is born on the surface of Mars. When it hatches it starts digging until it reaches the sub-sub surface. This takes about one Earth month. When it reaches the sub-sub surface, the creature has everything it needs to live for the rest of its life (ten Martian years). It consumes the soil using its mouth (not similar to the human mouth). When it needs carbon dioxide (once every Earth year) it flies to the surface through the tunnel it made when it was born. It inhales and exhales through its nose, which has four nostrils. It can withstand warm and cold temperatures. It melts the frozen brine (which is underground) using its warm tongue. Its lungs only release small parts of the carbon dioxide at a time and only when it is on land after flying. The purpose of the legs is to land after flying. The antennae are used to feel. It makes vitamin C in its liver. The creature is the size of a pen point. It is neither masculine nor feminine. Once a year, starting at the age of five, it produces both types of cells needed for reproduction. At the surface it lays one egg each year beginning at the age of five. After the egg hatches the cycle starts all over again.

A. Wings - used to fly up the tunnel which it made when it was born.
B. Legs - to land from flying.
C. Antennae - they help the creature feel.
D. Mouth - to suck up the dirt to eat.
E. Nose - breathes in carbon dioxide and has four nostrils.
F. Tongue - is hot to melt frozen water to drink.
G. Spade-like hands - to help it dig.

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