NASA Glenn Videoconference: Exploring Mars
Pre-Conference Assessment: Answers

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

   X	Compare with a feature found on earth
   X	Develop a model
   X	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?
   

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

    

6. Match the following terms to the most correct description:
   

   B Model	A) Observations and data
   A Evidence	B) Scheme or structure that is used to explain real objects, events, or classes of events
   C 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).
   

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