Mars Curriculum Distinction

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What's Distinctive About This Curriculum?

What Are The Four Research Techniques Used In Each Module?

What's Distinctive About This Module Series?

What Are The Four Research Techniques Used
In Each Module To Investigate a Question?

Each module is designed around a question that is examined through four different investigative paths - experimentation, modeling, Mars-Earth comparisons, and image and data interpretation. Each path sheds light on a different aspect of the question. Students piece together the evidence to develop hypotheses, debate and refine their thinking, and address their misconceptions.

	Conducting Classroom Experiments and Creating Models Students conduct hands-on experiments to generate data and model processes that occur on Earth and Mars. These inquiry-based experiences build understanding and lay the conceptual and experiential base for subsequent activities.

	Making Mars/Earth Comparisons Mars-Earth comparisons help students bridge the gap from a local, familiar environment on Earth to distant Mars.

	Using Real Data and Images from Mars The modules' image sets provide students maps and photos of the surface of Mars. Many activities are based on these images, and students use them to provide clues for their investigations. NASA also makes many of its data and images from current and previous missions available over the Internet. By obtaining the latest data and images, students can experience the excitement of scientific exploration and discovery as it happens.
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How Easy Are These Materials to Use?
The Mars Exploration Program's curriculum materials were written by educators, reviewed by scientists, and field tested by students, making them scientifically accurate, classroom ready, and easy to use. Each activity has thorough background information, detailed procedures, student sheets, teaching pointers, technology recommendations, and assessment suggestions. To see how these features are presented, check out one of the activities or modules on this site.
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What's Distinctive About This Module Series?
	Brings Science to Life in an Engaging, Relevant Way Students not only learn about Mars, Earth science, astronomy, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, and geography, but they also develop and hone their science thinking skills such as designing experiments, devising models, analyzing data, developing and refining hypotheses, and applying their understanding to real-world situations.

	Provides Multiple Paths to Investigate a Topic In the module activities, students use experimentation, modeling, Mars-Earth comparisons, and image and data interpretation to amass evidence to support their ideas.

	Promotes Student Ownership of the Investigative Process Because the mastery of fundamental science concepts is dramatically enhanced when students feel ownership for their work, the activities directly involve students in the intellectual process going on in the classroom.

	Builds a Foundation for Understanding Data from Mars NASA is using the Internet to provide the public the latest images and data from its missions to Mars. So students can make effective use of this information, the modules provide students skills and understanding to help them interpret data and images, understand planetary geology, know NASA's key research questions, and understand the missions.

	Gives Students a Stake in the Missions Mars exploration is at its beginning. The competing explanations within the scientific community and the gaps in the existing evidence leave plenty of room for students to develop their own hypotheses. Students can use evidence from their own investigations to take positions on a particular question, debate the alternate hypotheses, and refine their own thinking about the planet.

	Helps Transform Science Education The curriculum modules provide detailed, standards-based, hands-on activities that promote inquiry-based learning and address student misconceptions. Each module also contains teaching strategies and assessments to provide guidance for teachers unfamiliar with student-centered teaching.

	Implements The National Science Education Standards The module series develops skills and understanding by responding to many of the National Science Education Standards' recommendations for science teaching, professional development, assessment, and content. The series can help schools implement these standards in a creative, innovative and multi-faceted program.
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