Mars from Above: Viewing Volcanoes
Source Institutions
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Lunar and Planetary Institute
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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?"
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- 2–3 rolls of Scotch® tape
- 1 small bottle of white vinegar
- 1, 1-cup measuring cup
- 1 tablespoon (for measuring vinegar)
- 1 small box of baking soda (16 oz.)
- 4 plastic spoons (for measuring/scooping baking soda)
- 1 roll of paper towels
- 1 plastic tablecloth (to cover and protect the table)
- 1 garbage can (lined)
- 1 set of full-page Earth Image Placemats (volcano images only) from Mars Match activity
- 1 set of Mars Cards (volcano images only) from the Mars Match activity
- laminating pages or page protectors for the volcano images (optional)
- Pencils or pens
- heavy-duty paper plates
- aluminum foil
- cookie sheets or other shallow pans (optional)
- Extreme-O-File: Mars from Above activity pages (optional)
- clipboards (optional)
- Life on Mars? Trading Cards (optional)
- 1 empty soup bowl
- 1 flashlight
Subjects
- Earth and Space Science
- Astronomy
- Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
- Earth Processes
- Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics
- Earth Structure
- Rocks and Minerals
- Earth's History
- Geologic Time
- Solar System
- The Planets
- Astronomy
- Life Sciences
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- The Scientific Worldview
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- Science as a Career
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Model Building
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Culture, ethnicity, and gender
Girls
- Explicity developed for this group
- Uses inclusive images of people from this group
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2013
Funding Source:
- NASA, NNH09ZDA001N–EDUC
