Activity Timing
20 min. Introduction
15 min. Investigate
10 min. Understand LiDAR Data
15 min. Analyze Landing Sites
10 min. Reflect
70 min. Total
Prep Snapshot
Prep Time: 10 min
Print resources for the Activity.
This snapshot intended for quick reminders and is not a replacement of the guide. Be sure to use the guide for detailed preparation instructions and implementation scripts.
Glossary
Topographic map: a representation of the shape of land in an area
Topography: the shape of land in an area
21st Century Skills Connection
Critical Thinking
Science Practices
- Analyzing & Interpreting Data
- Planning Investigations
Activity Overview
Youth interpret topographic maps created by LiDAR technologies and then use the maps to understand the landforms and to identify safe and interesting landing sites.
Guiding Question
How can topographic maps help us choose a safe and interesting landing site on Mars?
Youth Will Do
- Youth will interpret data from topographic maps to identify safe locations to land and landforms that might indicate water was present on Mars.
Youth Will Know
- A topographic map represents the shape of land in an area.
- NASA uses LiDAR to make topographic maps of Mars.
Videos Related to this Activity
Family Connections Story Prompt
Can you tell me a story about our landscape / the land on which we live?
Additional Resources
Connecting Across Activities
- In Science Activity 1, youth learned about landforms on Earth and Mars.
- In this Activity, youth deepen their understanding of landforms by examining topography data.
- Next, in Science Activity 3, they will interpret mineral data collected by spectroscopy.