Geology on Mars
Lesson 1.1
Lesson Guides
Overview
Students consider the Unit Question: How can we search for evidence that other planets were once habitable? To begin
to answer this question, students learn that Earth is one of four rocky planets in our solar system. Students compare
Earth’s hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere to those of other rocky planets. Through this activity,
students identify Mars as a compelling place to search for evidence of habitability. After this focus on Mars is
established, students watch a short video interview of a real planetary geologist. The planetary geologist describes how
she uses her understanding of Earth to inform the search for signs of past habitability on Mars.
Investigative Phenomena: The four rocky planets in our solar system.
Students learn:
• A planet is habitable if it can support life. Scientists think a planet needs liquid water and an energy source (such
as the sun) to support life.
• Earth, Mars, and other rocky planets can be thought of as systems. These systems are made up of interacting
spheres that can include the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
• Planetary geologists study rocky planets by comparing them to Earth because we know more about Earth than
we know about Mercury, Venus, or Mars.
• Science is both a body of knowledge and the processes and practices used to add to that body of knowledge.
• Science assumes that objects and events in natural systems occur in consistent patterns that are
understandable through measurement and observation.
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Geology on Mars
Lesson 1.1
Lesson Guides
Lesson at a Glance
ACTIVITY
1
Introducing Earth and Space Science (5 min)
Students learn how the work they will do in this unit is like the work of real
scientists.
TEACHER-LED
DISCUSSION
Introducing Rocky Planets (5 min)
2
Students learn about the group of planets classified as rocky planets and
begin to think about why planetary geologists use what they know about
TEACHER-LED
DISCUSSION
Earth to study them.
Comparing Rocky Planets (20 min)
3
Students compare Earth to other rocky planets and learn that they are all
systems made of interacting parts.
STUDENT-TOSTUDENT
DISCUSSION
Introducing the Student Planetary Geologist Role (10 min)
T
A video helps students deepen their understanding of how planetary
geologists use what they know about Earth to search for evidence of
habitability on other planets.
TEACHER
Discussing the Unit Question (5 min)
4
Students get an initial opportunity to discuss the Unit Question.
TEACHER-LED
DISCUSSION
Homework
5
Students reconsider the concept of habitability on Mars. The teacher uses
this opportunity as an On-the-Fly Assessment of students' initial ideas about
habitability. Students also read an article about scale in the solar system.
HOMEWORK
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