How can you tell they’ve got it: Space Robots & Rovers?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Name at least one Mars rover (Curiosity or Perseverance) and state it drives on Mars's surface; Explain that rovers take photos, analyse rocks, and look for evidence of water; State why we send robots instead of people: Mars is very far away and has no breathable air. Or just try it together: Does your child know about the Mars rovers? Can they tell you what Curiosity or Perseverance does on Mars?

Science Space Exploration Ages 7–9

Space Robots & Rovers

Your child knows robot rovers explore Mars. Curiosity and Perseverance drive around. They take photos, test rocks, and hunt for signs of past water.

In curriculum terms

Describe how robots and rovers have explored places humans cannot easily go — Mars rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance drive across Mars taking photos, collecting rock samples, and searching for signs of past water

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Name at least one Mars rover (Curiosity or Perseverance) and state it drives on Mars's surface
Explain that rovers take photos, analyse rocks, and look for evidence of water
State why we send robots instead of people: Mars is very far away and has no breathable air

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Try this together

Does your child know about the Mars rovers? Can they tell you what Curiosity or Perseverance does on Mars?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

What Astronauts Doages 5–7Must know about space exploration and astronauts before learning about robotic exploration

Planet Featuresages 7–9Knowing Mars features provides context for understanding what rovers are exploring

Space Robots & Roversthis skill · ages 7–9

Unlocks

Space Exploration Milestonesages 9–11Knowledge of Mars rovers contextualises current exploration programmes

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Asteroids, Comets & Dwarf Planetsages 7–9 Earth's Spin & Orbitages 7–9 How Telescopes Workages 7–9 Planet Featuresages 7–9

All Space Exploration skills →