From: Jan Wee <jwee@mail.arc.nasa.gov>
Subject: Challenge Question #4 Winners/Honorable Mention
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 16:27:36 -0500
Dear discuss-lfm members, Thought I would share the >>results<< of Challenge Question #4 with you and remind you that Challenge Question #6 are due tomorrow! CQ #6: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Teachers have been telling us (referring back to the vocabulary of CQ #1) that they think it's very useful for students to compare Earth's "geology" and Mars' "areology." Now, in preparation for some of the content of LFM 102 (aired April 24), a more open-ended question, which will require and receive some subjective, but fair, judgments from our PTK/Live From Mars CQ staff! CQ #6: What five features make Mars most like Earth? And, what five features make Mars most unlike Earth? We hope students will come up with some geologically correct answers, but also with some clever, provocative and tongue-in- cheek comparisons! You are invited to send original student answers to: jwee@mail.arc.nasa.gov. Please include the words CHALLENGE QUESTION in the subject line of your email. The kids' names will be listed online and token prizes will be given to those will the best answers. Answers are due April 30th! Challenge Question #5 Results to be posted shortly! Jan Wee, moderator >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CHALLENGE QUESTION #4 RESULTS QUESTION: Olympus Mons is the highest feature on Mars. What is its counterpart on Earth? Be forewarned: it is not Mount Everest! ANSWER: If you measure Mauna Kea, Hawaii, from ocean floor to peak, you will find that it is higher than Mt. Everest, Nepal -- about 30,000 feet compared to Everest's 29,000 feet. BONUS QUESTION: If you think about how astronomers measure the height of features on Mars, you'll have a clue to help you answer this question. What do we mean? ANSWER: For Mars, astronomers use the "datum level" -- the reference surface at which atmospheric pressure is 6.1 millibars (the pressure at the triple point of water) -- to give a baseline for measurement of altitude. On Earth we use sea level, but as CQ#3 reminded us, that would currently be impractical to do on Mars -- though some astronomers think there may once have been an ocean on Mars, or at least lakes of liquid water, now lost to space or locked in permafrost. RESULTS: Challenge Question #4 -- four participants had the answer 100% correct, so we drew a name for the winning entry and RICK KIRST's 4th and 5th graders (Anastasia, Marco, Jeff and Daniel) won the drawing. Congratulations to all who hit the answer right on the head! Honorable Mention: Mrs. Elaine Heines' Fourth Graders from Palm Bay, Florida; Linda Lund's Christian Academy 8th grade students; Katie, Ian and Jessie in Rick Kirst's Class; Charlotte Steven's students (Ryan, Jason Linsey, Billy, Chris, Diana, John, Michael and Paul); and Darlene Taylor's Mesa Class. All had correct answers -- >great< work students! Bonus Question Winner: Linda Lund's Christian Academy - 8th Graders. Congratulations!