Big Brain Shows Lesson Plan Episode 5 • February 20, 2026

Mars Weather, Spring Festivals, and Fish Road Trips!

Main Lesson Takeaway

"People and scientists can work together to understand and care for our world by protecting animal habitats, celebrating cultures, and studying other planets over time."

The Hook (Pre-Watch)

Ask the class before watching:

"Can you think of a time when something couldn’t get where it needed to go (like an animal, a person, or even information), and what could be built or changed to help it travel safely?"

Vocabulary Focus

migrate

To travel from one place to another, often at certain times, to live or find food.

Salmon migrate from the ocean back to rivers so they can lay their eggs in a safe place.

habitats

The natural home where a plant or animal lives and gets what it needs to survive.

If we protect grassland habitats, birds can find good spots to build nests and raise chicks.

atmosphere

A layer of gases that surrounds a planet.

The Hope Probe studies Mars’ atmosphere to learn how wind and dust move around the planet.

orbits

Moves in a repeating path around something, like going in a big loop.

A satellite orbits Mars again and again so it can collect clues about the planet over time.

Discussion & Reflection

Have students answer these questions after watching the episode.

1
If you could design a “wildlife helper” for one animal, what would it be and how would it work?
2
What is one spring tradition your family likes, and what new tradition could you try?