| The lessons in this package are designed to increase students' knowledge, awareness,
and curiosity about the process of scientific exploration of Mars. As scientists look for evidence of
life on Mars, they will focus much of their search in areas where volcanic heat and water
interacted early in the geologic history of the planet. Two lessons in this packet on
volcanoes and mapping river channels reinforce these basic geologic processes. These
lessons lead directly to a set of simple activities that help students develop an
understanding of the microbial life scientists will be searching for on Mars.
The hands-on, interdisciplinary activities reinforce and extend important concepts
within existing curricula. |