Exploring Activities 4 & 5 in Geology on Mars

What is the main question being addressed in this lesson?

• What is the composition of Mars' atmosphere?

• How many moons does Mars have?

• How can we decide which geologic process formed the channel on Mars?

• How can we determine the age of Mars?

What evidence supports the idea that the channel on Mars was formed by water?

• Discovery of ice caps

• Image of a rock sample from the Curiosity rover

• High levels of methane in the atmosphere

• Presence of volcanic rocks

Why is the rock sample considered convincing evidence for flowing water on Mars?

• It is made up of sediment and has rounded shapes similar to rocks found near water channels on Earth

• It is radioactive

• It contains fossils

• It has a metallic composition

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What did the planetary geologists find exciting about the rock discovery by Curiosity?

• It suggested Mars might have been habitable in the past

• It indicated volcanic activity

• It showed evidence of current life on Mars

• It revealed new types of minerals

What does strong support for the flowing water claim suggest about Mars?

• Mars has a thick atmosphere

• Mars could have had conditions to support life in the past

• Mars is closer to the Sun than Earth

• Mars has active volcanoes

What are the two characteristics that make Earth habitable?

• Mountains and oceans

• Liquid water and an energy source

• Oxygen and carbon dioxide

• Magnetic field and gravity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What should students do for the final activity of the lesson?

• Reflect on the possibility that Mars was habitable and explain their thinking

• Write a report on Earth's geology

• Design a new rover for Mars exploration

• Create a model of Mars

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Where can students write their responses for the final activity?

• In a text message

• On a social media post

• On a whiteboard

• On a sheet of paper, in their investigation notebook, or in the amplified digital platform

Based on the evidence about the channel on Mars, what should space agencies consider?

• Stopping all Mars missions

• Continuing to explore Mars for evidence of past habitability

• Exploring other planets instead

• Focusing only on the Moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Who is the instructor of this lesson?

• Professor Johnson

• Mr. Smith

• Dr. Brown

• Miss Katherine