WE WENT TO ADLER PLANETARIUM AND ASKED KIDS SOME SPACY QUESTIONS (Not all the kids answered all the questions)
1. Do you think there’s life on Mars?
2. If scientists don’t find life on Mars, do you think it might exist elsewhere in the universe?
3. If we do find life on some planet, would you go live there, even if it meant you had to leave your friends and family?
Patrick C., 12, Clarendon Hills
1. “Yes. Conditions were right for life there once.”
2. “Yeah, because I don’t think we’re the only intelligent beings in the universe. But, after all, they haven’t found anything.”
3. “Maybe, but not for a long time.”
Katie C., 9, Clarendon Hills
1. “Scientists have been talking about life on Mars and all the research indicates that they’re going to find it.”
2. “Yes, because for such a long time people believed that Earth was the only planet that had life. And look how that belief has changed.”
3. “No. It would be too different. I’d be lonely.”
Paris E., 10, Beloit, Wis.
3. “I’d like to explore a different planet, but I wouldn’t like to leave friends and family behind.”
Tasha G., 12, Machesney Park
1. “They might find plants, grass and stuff like that, but I don’t think they’ll find aliens.”
2. “We don’t have all the answers. There could be life on other planets in other galaxies. We’re just not sure where.”
3. “I’d go, but I wouldn’t want to stay ther, ‘ ciz I don’t like being away from home.”
Mahogany H.., 12, Beloit, Wis.
1. “I think the face on Mars is a sign that life exists on the planet.”
3. “No. I’d be afraid there wouldn’t be enough oxygen or something.”
Dana J., 11, Lisle
1. “I think there was life, but not anymore.”
2. “Because the sun is a star and there are so many other stars in the universe, there’s a good chance that there are other planets.”
3. “No, I wouldn’t, because I don’t think I would be able to communicate with some alien. I don’t know if they’d be nice or want to kill me.”
Lindsay J., 10, Naperville
1. “I don’t think so. Scientists have tried so long (to find life). Every time they try they don’t find what they’re looking for.”
2. “Yes, but I think scientists should try another planet (other than Mars) that might have more possibilities.”
3. “It would probably be neat to try something new and to make history.”
Cindy N., 11, Beloit, Wis.
1. “Yes, because of the evidence they’ve found on the planet in the rocks and in signs of a flood.”
3. “I would like to go to Mars, because it seems like it would be a lot of fun and there would be a lot of things to learn. But I wouldn’t want to stay too long.”
Tim P., 11, Hinsdale
1. “Yes, because they found bacteria in the Mars rocks.”
2. “I don’t think we’re the only living things in the universe. It makes sense that there’s at least bacteria.”
3. “I think it would be interesting, but first I’d need to know more about the place.”
Anthony V., 10, Beloit, Wis.
2. “Yes, because ours isn’t the only planet that has life. There must be other planets like Earth.”
3. “I’d like to live there even if I had to leave my family and friends behind.”
