Mars from Above - Mars Engineering - Standards
EXPLORE! Life on Mars

Mars Engineering

Correlations to National Science Standards

Grades K–12
Unifying Concepts and Processes
Evidence, Models, and Explanation

  • Models are tentative schemes or structures that correspond to real objects, events, or classes of events, and that have explanatory power. Models help scientists and engineers understand how things work. Models take many forms, including physical objects, plans, mental constructs, mathematical equations, and computer simulations.

Grades K–4
Science as Inquiry — Content Standard A
Understandings About Scientific Inquiry

  • Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer. Types of investigations include describing objects.
  • Simple instruments, such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers, provide more information than scientists obtain using only their senses.

Earth and Space Science — Content Standard D
Objects in the Sky

  • The Moon has properties, movements, and a location that can be observed and described.

Science and Technology — Content Standard E
Understandings About Science and Technology

  • Scientists and engineers often work in teams with different individuals doing different things that contribute to the results. This understanding focuses primarily on teams working together and secondarily on the combination of scientist and engineer teams.
  • Tools help scientists make better observations, measurements, and equipment for investigations. They help scientists see, measure, and do things that they could not otherwise see, measure, and do.

Grades 5–8
Science as Inquiry — Content Standard A
Understandings About Scientific Inquiry

  • Different kinds of questions suggest different kinds of scientific investigations. Some investigations involve observing and describing objects, organisms, or events; some involve seeking more information.

Science and Technology — Content Standard E
Understandings About Science and Technology

  • Science and technology are reciprocal. Science helps drive technology as it addresses questions that demand more sophisticated instruments and provides principles for better instrumentation and techniques. Perfectly designed solutions do not exist. All solutions have trade-offs such as safety, cost, efficiency, and appearance. Technological solutions have intended benefits.

Last updated
June 12, 2013

Back to top