Crater Comparisons
Crater Comparisons
Activity Overview
This activity is designed to introduce students to the process of science through the completion of a structured mini-research investigation focusing on impact craters on Earth and other planetary worlds in our Solar System.
Aside from providing a meaningful context in which to enable students to gain experience with the process of science. This activity helps students learn about geologic processes and how through studying impact craters we can better understand the history of our Solar System.
Activity Scope
• Grades 5-12+ • Ages 10-17+ • Full Activity 3+ Hours
• Adaptations for Informal Use < 1 hour
• Adaptations for Informal Use < 1 hour
Relevant Topics
Impact processes, Earth and Space Science
Adaptations for Informal Use
If using this activity or activity resources as part of an informal learning environment consider the following adaptations which can be completed in ~15-30+ minutes (depending on your discussion time):
- Incorporate Art into Science:
- Have participants choose a picture of an impact crater and using a pencil, colored pencils, chalk, paint or some other medium, aim to recreate the image illustrating the variations in shading, textures, and features visible in the image.
- Create Scale Models of Impact Craters:
- As every image includes an indication of the size of the impact crater being shown (or a scale bar on the image), have participants create scale models of impact craters using play-doh, modeling clay, pen and paper, paper-mache, etc..
- Comparing Crater Characteristics:
- Have participants view impact craters from the various planetary worlds. Have them make observations and discuss similarities and differences of craters/craters characteristics.
These are a few adaptations you may consider using with your audiences. There are likely many other ways to utilize the resources included as part of this activity. Feel free to make additional adaptations as necessary to fit the needs of your learning environment.
Use images of craters to bring together ART and SCIENCE!
Image Resources
Earth Craters
PDF • 2.0 MB
Moon Craters
PDF • 2.3 MB
Mars Craters
PDF • 3.2 MB
Mercury Craters
PDF • 1.6 MB
Venus Craters
PDF • 1.9 MB
Vesta Craters
PDF • 1.1 MB
Crater Image Metadata
PDF • 55 KB
Additional Resources
Instructional Guide
PDF • 7.5 MB
Earth Impact Database
PDF • 202 KB
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