Science Space Explorationusually ages 7–9

Space Robots & Rovers

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

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

🖨 Print this page to keep the checklist — it prints beautifully.

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

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

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 →