Mars has been revealed as a world strangely familiar, yet different enough to challenge our perceptions. Among our discoveries about Mars, one stands out above all others: the possible presence of liquid water, either in its ancient past or today.  If so, the compelling question is this: is there any evidence of life in the planet’s past or present?

This unit of work provides young people with the special opportunity to remotely explore a scientifically accurate re-creation of the surface of Mars with a robot rover to search for evidence of life.

In-line with the Australian Science Curriculum, these activities provide opportunities for students to develop an understanding of important science concepts and processes, the practices used to develop scientific knowledge, of science’s contribution to our culture and society, and its applications in our lives. The activities provide experiences to develop critical and creative thinking skills and challenge students to identify questions and draw evidence-based conclusions using scientific methods. [curriculum links]

Searching for evidence of life on Mars will give students the opportunity to become explorers and scientists, experience the joy of scientific discovery and nurture their curiosity about the world around them … and beyond.

 

The unit includes 5 lessons:

Lesson 1: What will we do with our 60 minutes of Mars rover time?

Guide your class to develop a scientific goal for their 60 minute exploration of the Mars surface with the Mars Lab Continuum Rover.
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Lesson 2: Searching for evidence of life on Mars

A lesson to guide your class to investigate how to look for evidence that Mars may have once had environments that could have sustained life.
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Lesson 3: Plan your mission and learn to drive the rover

A two part activity to guide teams through the precise mapping and planning of their 60 minute exploration and to practise driving through a simulation of the Mars Yard.
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Lesson 4: Mission day: 60 minutes on Mars

The class attempts to carry out their planned mission by remotely connecting to the Mars Lab and controlling the Continuum Rover across the Mars [Yard] surface at the MAAS (Powerhouse Museum).
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Lesson 5: What did we find? How did we perform?

Following their mission, teams examine the data collected and report on what it may suggest, evaluate the mission and share their findings.
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Australian Science Curriculum Links

The 60 minutes on Mars unit makes  many links to all three strands of the Australian Science Curriculum. The following tables show the broad links according to the curriculum’s Years 7-10 content descriptions.  Specific curriculum linked learning outcomes are shown in the side bar for each individual lesson.

Science Understanding	Science as a Human Endeavour	Science Inquiry Skills
Year 7
Water is an important resource that cycles through the environment ACSSU222	Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available, and some scientific discoveries have significantly changed people’s understanding of the world ACSHE119Science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines of science ACSHE223	Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge ACSIS124Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments ACSIS125In fair tests, measure and control variables, and select equipment to collect data with accuracy appropriate to the task ACSIS126Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions ACSIS130Reflect on the method used to investigate a question or solve a problem, including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identify improvements to the method ACSIS131 Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims ACSIS132Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate ACSIS133
Year 8
Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of time scales ACSSU153	Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available, and some scientific discoveries have significantly changed people’s understanding of the world ACSHE134Science knowledge can develop through collaboration and connecting ideas across the disciplines of science ACSHE226	Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge ACSIS139Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed ACSIS140In fair tests, measure and control variables, and select equipment to collect data with accuracy appropriate to the task ACSIS141Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions ACSIS145Reflect on the method used to investigate a question or solve a problem, including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identify improvements to the method ACSIS146Use scientific knowledge and findings from investigations to evaluate claims ACSIS234Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate ACSIS148
Year 9
	Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community ACSHE157Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries ACSHE158The values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research ACSHE228	Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically ACSIS164Plan, select and use appropriate investigation methods, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods ACSIS165 Select and use appropriate equipment, including digital technologies, to systematically and accurately collect and record data ACSIS166Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence ACSIS170Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible alternative explanations, and describe specific ways to improve the quality of the data ACSIS171Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations ACSIS174
Year 10
Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere ACSSU189	Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community ACSHE191Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries ACSHE192The values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research ACSHE230	Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically ACSIS198Plan, select and use appropriate investigation methods, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods ACSIS199Select and use appropriate equipment, including digital technologies, to systematically and accurately collect and record data ACSIS200Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence ACSIS204Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible alternative explanations, and describe specific ways to improve the quality of the data ACSIS205Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose, including constructing evidence-based arguments and using appropriate scientific language, conventions and representations ACSIS208