The Mystery of the
Martian Channel
A new transmission has arrived from Mars. Scientists have discovered a mysterious channel on the surface — but they do not know exactly what formed it.
Today, you are not just students. You are Planetary Investigation Apprentices.
You Arrived Before the Scientists
Before anyone tells you what scientists think happened on Mars, investigate like a scientist. Begin with what you can actually observe.
🔭 FIRST LOOK
Imagine a long channel carved across the surface of Mars. It has visible edges, changes in elevation, and material appears to have moved through it.
What can you observe WITHOUT explaining it yet?
👀 I Notice...
💭 I Wonder...
What Happened Here?
Something changed the Martian surface. Your team must determine which geologic process could have formed the channel.
Scientists are allowed to change their minds when better evidence appears.
Evidence Drops
Open each evidence transmission. Do not ask, “What is the answer?” Ask, “What does this evidence allow me to conclude?”
Earth: The Comparison Planet
Scientists cannot travel back in time to watch the Martian channel form. But they can investigate geologic processes happening on Earth today.
🌍 Pattern Hunter Challenge
Could two different geologic processes create landforms that look similar?
The Evidence Vault
Not every observation is equally useful. Evaluate the quality of each piece of evidence.
The channel has a shape similar to channels created by flowing material.
Material appears to have moved along the surface.
Similar-looking landforms can be found on Earth.
The appearance of the channel alone does not tell scientists exactly what flowed through it.
Scientists Have New Information
Your investigation is not finished. New evidence has arrived from Mars. A strong scientist does not protect their first answer — they evaluate whether the new information changes the explanation.
Does the new evidence change your thinking?
What convinced you?
Build Your Case
NASA does not need a guess. They need an explanation supported by evidence.
CLAIM
What do you think happened?
EVIDENCE
What observations support your claim?
REASONING
Why does this evidence support your claim?
Your Planetarium Passport
City of Creativity
THE PLANETARIUM
INVESTIGATOR
★ EARNED ★
Before you leave Mars:
Scientists rarely know everything. What is ONE piece of information you would ask NASA to collect next to make you more confident in your explanation?
“Don't just tell us what you think.
Show us what convinced you.”