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What will life on other planets look like? What factors determine if an organism is living or not? This exciting 5E hands-on/minds-on lesson engages students in these essential questions and in the process of how scientists investigate materials from other planets such as Mars to search for potential signs of life. Just as the rovers on Mars are studying samples, Students in 6 - 12 will work with different mystery samples to determine if the substance they have collected is in fact alive. In this team engaging activity, students will work on valuable NGSS standards, 21st Century Skills in communications, information and communications technology literacy, critical thinking and more.
Download the grade appropriate Alignment Document:
Is It Alive MS Alignment DocumentIs It Alive HS Alignment Document
Download the grade appropriate Lesson:Is It Alive MS LessonIs It Alive HS Lesson
Resources for NGSS Reflections:
NGSS Appendices:
Appendix F – Science and Engineering Practices in NGSS
Appendix G – Crosscutting Concepts
Appendix H – Understanding the Scientific Enterprise: The Nature of Science in the Next Generation Science Standards
8.5 x 11 Printable Checksheet
NGSS PracticesNGSS Disciplinary Core IdeasNGSS Crosscutting ConceptsNGSS Nature of Science
11 x 17 Classroom Checksheet Poster:
NGSS PracticesNGSS Disciplinary Core IdeasNGSS Crosscutting ConceptsNGSS Nature of Science