NASA Glenn Videoconference:
Exploring Mars
Subject Areas: Science,
Mathematics, & Technology
Grade Level: 7-9
National Standards:
Science
Physical Science - Position and motion of
objects.
Science and Technology - Abilities of technological
design.
Science and Technology - Understanding about science and
technology.
Mathematics
Mathematics as Communication - Express
mathematical ideas orally and in writing.
Technology
Research Tools - Use content-specific tools,
software and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing
calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support
learning and research.
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools - Routinely
and efficiently use on-line information resources to meet needs
for collaboration, research, publications, communications, and
productivity.
Objective:
- After completing a pre-conference assessment and activity,
participating in the NASA Glenn videoconference on "Exploring
Mars," and completing a post-conference activity on crater
simulation that uses modeling and evidence to form
scientific explanations, the students will demonstrate an
understanding of the basic concepts of the surface features found
on Mars.
The videoconferencing workshops offered by the NASA Glenn Research Center's Learning
Technologies Project introduce students to NASA's research. The pre- and post-conference
activities are intended to supplement the "Exploring Mars" videoconferences presented
by NASA Glenn scientist, Joe Kolecki. In the pre-conference activity, students
examine images of craters on the surface of Mars and speculate their causes.
They then use different techniques, such as modeling and Earth-Mars comparisons,
to refine their observations and ideas into hypotheses. Each time the students
gain new information, they are required to revise their scientific explanations
(hypotheses) based on the new information. The same concept is practiced
again in the post-conference activity, where students simulate the actual formation
of craters on a terrestrial surface.
Important concepts covered in these activities include the
following:
- Evidence - observations and data on which to
base scientific explanations. Using evidence to understand
interactions allows individuals to predict changes in natural and
designed systems.
- Models - tentative schemes or structures that
correspond to real objects, events, or classes of events and that
have explanatory power. Models help scientists and engineers
understand how things work. Models take many forms, including
physical objects, plans, mental constructs, mathematical
equations, and computer simulations.
- Scientific Explanations - incorporating existing
scientific knowledge and new evidence from observations,
experiments, or models into internally consistent, logical
statements. Different terms such as "hypothesis," "model," "law,"
"principle," "theory," and "paradigm" are used to describe various
types of scientific explanations.
Assessment: Pre- and post-conference assessment
tools are available.
Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on their
ability to complete research and explain findings. Students will
also be evaluated on the accuracy or feasibility of their answers
in the post-assessment activity.
- Submitted by: Lisa Bugenske and Catherine
Howard, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.
Please send any comments to:
Web site related: Curator
Content related: Joe Kolecki (Joseph.C.Kolecki@grc.nasa.gov)