Modules Available in the Mars Exploration Series

	Exploring Mars Grades 4-10, Two weeks How can students study Mars and Mars Exploration in the classroom? This comprehensive introduction to studying Mars in the classroom develops students' understanding of Mars, the solar system, and planetary exploration. The module introduces many of the intriguing riddles posed by Mars and provides teachers a variety of ways to integrate the study of Mars into their classrooms.
	Is There Water on Mars? Grades 9-12, Three weeks Can water exist on Mars today? By experimenting with water as it changes state and investigating some effects of air pressure, students not only learn core ideas in physical science but can deduce the water situation on Mars by applying those concepts. They use evidence from their work as well as data and images from NASA's missions to Mars to take a position on whether there was ever water on Mars.
	The Grand Canyon of Mars and How It Formed Grades 6-12, Three weeks What can a colossal fracture tell us about Mars? Students investigate the formation of Mars' 3,000 mile-long rift valley. After investigating how a planet's surface can be altered and analyzing data and images from NASA's missions to Mars, students develop hypotheses to explain the rift valley's formation and amass evidence to support their ideas.
	The Great Martian Floods and Pathfinder's Landing Site Grades 6-12, Three weeks Is the landing site in a floodplain & why would that be good news? Students learn how sediment, landforms, and drainage patterns provide clues about a planet's geologic history. They use evidence from their work and data and images from NASA's missions to Mars to understand the advantages of landing at the end of a flood channel.

An Overview of What the Modules Provide

Hands-on, inquiry-based activities written by educators, reviewed by NASA scientists, and field tested by students;
Engaging physical and Earth science activities that use experiments, models, analogs, and image and data interpretation to investigate questions central to Mars research;
Practical applications of the National Science Standards;
Teacher Guides with background information, procedures, teaching strategies, student sheets, assessment recommendations, and a resource list.

INTEC Participants will work with the modules highlighted in blue above.
See the Mars Exploration Education Program site for more information.

Modules Available in the Mars Exploration Series

Exploring Mars

Is There Water on Mars?

The Grand Canyon of Mars and How It Formed

The Great Martian Floods and Pathfinder's Landing Site

An Overview of What the Modules Provide