In this activity, learners create volcanoes like those they have examined on Earth and Mars through images taken by spacecraft. Using baking soda and vinegar, learners model volcanic eruptions and explore the basics of volcanoes, how scientists view and identify these features from space, and reflect on what the presence of volcanoes means about a planet’s interior.
This activity is part of a 60-minute set of activities in which learners, ages 8–13, explore and compare the features of Mars and Earth, discuss what the features suggest about the history of Mars, and create a model to help them understand how scientists view and study other worlds--like Mars. The activities help to show why scientists are interested in exploring Mars for evidence of past life, and address the question: "Why are we searching for life on Mars?"