Educator Guide: Meteorite’s Organics Aren’t Signs of Life

Chemistry
Planetary Science
Space
Literacy Practices

February 12, 2022

image of meteorite ALH 84001 — The ancient Martian meteorite, ALH84001, discovered in Antarctica in 1984, contains organic molecules that researchers now suggest were formed by geologic processes, rather than by alien organisms.

NASA

About this guide

In this guide, students will learn about the origin of organic material found inside a meteorite from Mars and discuss how new evidence can be used to reevaluate scientific claims.

This Guide Includes:

Exercise type:Comprehension
Topic:Chemistry

Chemistry that’s out of this world

Students will answer questions about the online Science News article “Organic molecules in an ancient Mars meteorite formed via geology, not alien life,” which describes new research into the origin of organic material found in a space rock. A version of the article, “Meteorite’s organics aren’t signs of life,” appears in the February 12, 2022 issue of Science News.

Exercise type:Discussion
Topic:Chemistry
Category:Literacy Practices

Evaluating scientific claims with new evidence

Students will compare two Science News articles and analyze how new evidence has revised an initial claim and the reasoning behind that claim. As a bonus, students can answer chemistry questions about abiotic and biotic reactions.