Exploring Mars Post-Conference Assessment

NASA Glenn Videoconference: Exploring Mars
Post-Conference Assessment: Print and complete after participating in the "Exploring Mars" videoconference and completing the Post-Conference Activity.

Which of the following are important considerations when building a model? Check all that apply:

___ Be aware of scale
___ Be aware of its limitations
___ Avoid using mathematical equations
___ Keep it very complicated
___ Utilize existing knowledge
___ Revise it when new information becomes available

Match the following terms to the most correct description:

___ Model	a) Observations and data
___ Evidence	b) Scheme or structure that is used to explain real objects, events, or classes of events
___ Scientific Explanation	c) Hypothesis that utilizes existing and new knowledge, observations or experiments

Which "crater" was formed first?

a) A

b) B
What does the depth of a crater tell us about the impactor that formed it?
a) The composition of the impactor
b) The relative velocity of the impactor
c) The diameter of the impactor
d) The mass of the impactor
e) Both b and d
What does the diameter of a crater hint about the impactor that formed it?

a) The shape of the impactor
b) The relative velocity of the impactor
c) The diameter of the impactor
d) The mass of the impactor
e) Both e and d
Where would scientists most likely find water on Mars?
a) Underground
b) In surface lakes and rivers
c) In the clouds
d) All of the above
Identify the following terms as examples of evidence (E), a model (M), or
a scientific explanation (S).

___ A photograph of the surface of Mars
___ A globe
___ The force of gravity causes objects to fall towards the Earth
___ Based on years of telescope observations, it is thought that Mars is smaller than the Earth.
___ A computer simulation showing the formation of a volcano on Earth

Please send any comments to:
Web site related: Curator
Content related: Joe Kolecki (Joseph.C.Kolecki@grc.nasa.gov)