Robert S. Smith Aerospace Education Mentor

Morning: Conduct activities to provide the prerequisite content to support the afternoon Earth’s Moon and Mars surface
                geology activities.

8:00 a.m. Introductionand Administrative Details

Florida Space Research Institute and the Aerospace Education Mentor Program

      email:  bo_smith@bellsouth.net
      websites:   http://users.ilnk.com/Bo_Smith/
                       http://exploring-moon-mars-geology.org

Power Point Presentation- NASA’s Space Exploration Initiative

Activity: Identification of Igneous Rocks:  Learn to use the texture and color of igneous rocks to determine how the rocks
                                                                                   were formed and the composition (source of the magma/lava) of igneous rocks.
                                                                                            (Guided Inquiry Activity-Conceptual Change Model Lesson Plan)
 

Power Point Presentation- Sedimentary Rocks- How they are formed and what are the indicators in determining whether a rock is of igneous
                                                    or sedimentary origin. (Various sources including (Tarbuck,  Lutgens, and Pinzke- ‘Applications & Investigations in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Earth Science)

Break- (15 Minutes)
 

Activity- ‘Albedo, What is it and can we measure it?: Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Pinzke- ‘Applications &  Investigations in Earth Science'
                                                                                                                                                                      (Structured Inquiry)

Power Point Presentation- Relative Age- Learning the basics about how to determine the order of geologic events.
                                                                                (Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Pinzke- ‘Applications & Investigations in Earth Science)

Power Ponit Presentation- Satellite Images of Drainage Basin Topography- Satellite images and Tarbuck, Lutgens, and Pinzke-
                                                                                                                                                    ‘Applications & Investigations in Earth Science’
 

12:00 p.m.- Lunch
 

Afternoon: Exploring Moon and Mars Geology
 

Determining the Surface Composition of Earth’s Moon:  Use remote sensor imagery and lessons learned from the morning session to
                                                                                                              determine the composition of the Lunar highlands with Lunar Maria.
                                                                                                                       (Guided Inquiry-Conceptual Change Model Lesson Pan)
 

Mar Mapping Activity:   Using remote sensing imagery and lessons learned from the morning session, determine a simple geologic history of
                                                Mars. (Guided Inquiry-Conceptual Change Model Lesson Pan)

Short Break (15 minutes)

Mars Rocks Activity: Using lessons learned from the morning activity, can you identify which of the types of rocks in a collection of potential
                                          Mars rocks are of igneous or sedimentary origin? (Guided Inquiry)

Discussion: What conditions exist on Mars which may alter geologic processes when compared to Earth?

3:15-3:30- Evaluation and Complete Professional Development Forms

3:45 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. Extended Activity ($25 stipend)

Activity- "Determining the Composition of Planetary Surfaces Using Reflectance Spectrometry":Using an Alta 2 Reflectant Spectrometer, test several types of sand and generate data which may be used to identify the composition of samples pf lunar regolith simulant and Mars Regolith simulant.  Learn how the CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars) instrument onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) will use infra-red reflantant spectrometry to identify the composition of Mars regolith at prospective landing sites for future Mars robotic missions (Phoenix Scout Lander and the Mars Science Lab Rover).