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Space Robots & Rovers

CONCEPTUAL
Science›Space Exploration|Ages 7—9|ID: mt_7GwWplh-48

Describe how robots and rovers have explored places humans cannot easily go — Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance drive across Mars taking photos, collecting rock samples, and searching for signs of past water

Mastery Evidence

  • Name at least one Mars rover (Curiosity or Perseverance) and state it drives on Mars's surface
  • Explain that rovers take photos, analyse rocks, and look for evidence of water
  • State why we send robots instead of people: Mars is very far away and has no breathable air

Assessment Prompt

“Does [child] know about the Mars rovers? Can they tell you what Curiosity or Perseverance does on Mars?”

Prerequisites2

Show full prerequisite tree
  • What Astronauts Do hard

    Must know about space exploration and astronauts before learning about robotic exploration

    • Our Solar System soft

      Knowing about space and planets provides context for understanding astronauts

      • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

        Must know the Sun and stars before learning about planets and the solar system

        • Why seasons change soft

          Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

          • Naming the Planets soft

            Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

          • Seasonal changes soft

            Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

  • Planet Features soft

    Knowing Mars features provides context for understanding what rovers are exploring

    • The Eight Planets hard

      Must know the planet names before learning features of each

      • The Sun is a star hard

        Must know the Sun is the centre before naming planets in order from it

        • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

          Must know the Sun is a sky object before learning it is a star

          • Why seasons change soft

            Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

            • Naming the Planets soft

              Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

            • Seasonal changes soft

              Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

        • Our Solar System hard

          Must know about the solar system before learning the Sun is at its centre

          • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

            Must know the Sun and stars before learning about planets and the solar system

            • Why seasons change soft

              Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

              • Naming the Planets soft

                Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

              • Seasonal changes soft

                Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

      • Our Solar System hard

        Must know planets exist before listing them in order

        • Sun, Moon & Stars hard

          Must know the Sun and stars before learning about planets and the solar system

          • Why seasons change soft

            Curriculum daylight/seasons observation supports exploratory Sun/Moon/stars identification

            • Naming the Planets soft

              Relating daylight length to time of year draws on orbit and solar system vocabulary

            • Seasonal changes soft

              Seasonal changes observation supports daylight pattern recognition

Unlocks1