
Activity Timing
10 min. Reminder of the Goal
30 min. Explore Landforms
20 min. Search for Evidence of Water
10 min. Reflect
70 min. Total
Prep Snapshot
Prep Time: 60 min
- As needed, dry sand the day before.
- Set up Water and Wind Stations.
- Print resources.
Glossary
CTX: Context Camera, a camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
HiRISE: High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, a camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Lander: a non-moving spacecraft for exploring a planet or moon
Landform: a shape on the surface of a planetary body
Mars Helicopter: a spacecraft that flies on Mars using spinning rotors
Orbiter: a spacecraft designed to circle around a planet or moon without landing on it
Rover: a vehicle for exploring a planet or moon
21st Century Skills Connection
Critical Thinking
Science Practices
- Developing & Using Models
- Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Activity Overview
Youth explore how different landforms are formed by wind and water, then examine images of landforms on Mars and Earth to find evidence of water.
Guiding Question
Which landforms on Mars hold clues about past water?
Youth Will Do
- Explore how water and wind create landforms.
- Compare landforms on Earth and Mars.
- Interpret image data to find safe and scientifically interesting locations.
Youth Will Learn
- NASA is interested in learning whether Mars could have once supported life.
- Life on Earth depends on water.
- NASA spacecraft take pictures of Mars and send the images back to Earth as data.
Videos Related to this Activity
Additional Resources
- Lunar and Planetary Institute - Crater Creations: Moon activity
- NASA Viking 1 and 2 Project
- NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
- NASA Mars Global Surveyor
- NASA Mars Pathfinder/Sojourner Rover
- NASA Mars InSight Mission
- NASA Spirit and Opportunity Mission
- NASA Mars Curiosity Rover
- NASA Mars Perseverance Rover
- NASA Mars Helicopter Tech Demo