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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 Document
Is It Alive HS Alignment Document

Download the grade appropriate Lesson:
Is It Alive MS Lesson
Is 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 Practices
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts
NGSS Nature of Science

11 x 17 Classroom Checksheet Poster:

NGSS Practices
NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts
NGSS Nature of Science