|
|
Welcome to Mars
|
|
|
|
Viewing Ideas
|
|
|
Before Watching
Find a map of Mars and help students locate where on Mars each of the rovers
were directed to land (Spirit was sent to Gusev Crater, Opportunity to
Meridiani Planum). What do students notice about the geographical features of
each landing site?
Organize the class into six groups. Assign three groups to take notes on one
of each of the following categories: problems Spirit encountered, how those
problems were addressed, and what the rover discovered. Have the other three
groups take notes on one each of the same categories for Opportunity.
After Watching
List each rover and its landing site on the board. Have members of each team
contribute examples of the problems each rover confronted, how the scientists
worked to solve the problems, and what each rover discovered. How did
scientists go about solving problems that arose? What findings surprised
scientists?
Discuss the evidence scientists found regarding whether an environment that
could have supported life on Mars ever existed. Why are scientists interested
in learning about this?
|
|
