This is an activity about spacecraft design. Teams of learners will model how scientists and engineers design and build spacecraft to collect, store, and transmit data to earth. Teams will design a system to store and transmit topographic data of... (View More) the Moon and then analyze that data and compare it to data collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter . (View Less)

This is an activity about the discovery of water ice on Mars and involves the use of remote sensing data. Through a Socratic dialogue, learners will analyze three different kinds of data collected by Mars spacecraft to investigate the composition... (View More) and distribution of ices at the high latitude regions of Mars. An extension activity is available in which students use an online simulation illustrating how gamma rays can be used to determine the composition of the Martian surface. This is activity 2 of 5 in Buried Water Ice on Mars. (View Less)

This is a lesson about the scientific careers and opportunities in Antarctic meteorite team(s). Learners will view slides and read about meteorite recovery expeditions to Antarctica, explore science careers, evaluate the characteristics and skills... (View More) required for curating and working with meteorites, create scientific teams, and make written and oral presentations about their chosen scientific teams. Materials and vocabulary lists, and advanced preparation and procedural tips are included. This is lesson 18 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about observing and examining meteorites in a Meteorite Sample Disc. Learners will practice scientific techniques, develop skills in acquiring data through the senses, observe, examine, record, and sketch data, use magnifying... (View More) glasses, microscopes, and balances, and experience conceptual application. This is lesson 9 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about gathering information, applying scientific identification processes, and identifying unknown rocks. Learners will conduct an investigation, observe and record the physical characteristics of an unknown rock (meteorite),... (View More) determine the mass of the unknown rock using math skills, determine the density of the rock, describe and classify a meteorite, apply observations and knowledge to the process of a scientific investigation, present evidence to verify classification decisions, and explore concepts of spatial relationships. Completion of all parts of the lesson is necessary to identify the unknown. Advanced preparation and procedural tips are included. This is lesson 13 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about planet formation. Learners will observe and describe differentiated samples in the Meteorite Sample Disk (or photographs), conduct experiments to model the separation of light and heavy materials within a planetary body,... (View More) relate meteorites to the core, mantle and crust of asteroids, and model the break-up of differentiated planetary bodies to expose the interior layers. Materials lists, and advanced preparation and procedural tips are included. This is lesson 11 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about the important materials brought to Earth by carbonaceous chondrites. Learners will conduct experiments that simulate how the carbon material and water from carbonaceous chondrites may have helped early life on Earth, grow... (View More) yeast in mediums that represent carbonaceous chondrite material, and recognize that carbonaceous chondrite meteorites contain amino acids, the buildng blocks of life. Advanced preparation and procedural tips are included. This is lesson 12 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about exploring asteroid resources. Learners will research and document some of the requirements for mounting an expedition to an asteroid; actively explore potential resources available to space travelers through research,... (View More) assessment, team cooperation, and exploration simulations; develop the background to make the connection between meteorite research and potential planetary resources; and map and core an edible asteroid. Materials lists, and advanced preparation and procedural tips are included. This is lesson 17 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about the effects of large impacts. Learners will use critical thinking skills to evaluate and apply data from a narrative to a scientific selection process, will demonstrate or visualize simulations of some of the effects of a huge... (View More) impact, and will write a point of view narrative. Materials and vocabulary lists, and advanced preparation and procedural tips are included. This is lesson 14 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about impact craters; the relationships between crater size, projectile size and projectile velocity; and the transfer of energy in the cratering process. Learners will create plaster of Paris or layered dry impact craters and... (View More) conduct controlled experiments using mass and velocity as the independent variables. Energy calculations for advanced classes, and vocabulary words are included. This is lesson 6 of 19 in Exploring Meteorite Mysteries. (View Less)