Tabloid Science

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In this activity, learners analyze a fictionalized report of life on Mars, based on a real NASA satellite photo, and explore how to separate scientific fact from fiction. Learners practice using critical thinking to tell the difference between science and pseudoscience, and discover the role of photography—and its accurate, fact-based interpretation—in the study of planets beyond Earth. This activity can be found on pages 6-7 of the activity guide. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 11 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • Worksheet: Message From Mars
  • pencils or pens
  • sheets of writing paper

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Astronomy
      • Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Formulating Explanations
      • Communicating Results

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Uses STEM to solve real-world problems

Other

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • Science After School Consumer's Guide

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, TERC, 2007

Funding Sources:

  • NASA, NAS5-26555
  • National Science Foundation, NSF 9730728