NASA Glenn Videoconference: Exploring Mars
Pre-Conference Assessment: To be printed and completed prior to the Pre-Conference Activity.

  1. How could you develop a scientific explanation of the formation of surface features on Mars? Check all that apply:

    ___ Compare with a feature found on earth
    ___ Develop a model
    ___ Send a probe to Mars to find evidence
    ___ Ask a Martian

  2. Which "crater" was formed first?

    a) A

    b) B


  3. 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 

  4. What might cause a scientist to reject a scientific explanation?

    a) The evidence does not support the explanation
    b) New observations
    c) Finding flaws in the model upon which the explanation was based
    d) All of the above 

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Continue to the Pre-Conference Activity.

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