# Explore! Life on Mars?: Hands-on Science Activities

> document published in 2013

**Wikidata**: [Q104177548](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104177548)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/explore-life-on-mars-hands-on-science-activities

## Summary
Explore! Life on Mars?: Hands-on Science Activities is a 2013 document published by the Lunar and Planetary Institute that presents hands‑on science activities focused on the topic of life on Mars. It is part of the LPI contribution series and was made available in English from the institute’s headquarters in Houston.

## Key Facts
- Title: Explore! Life on Mars?: Hands-on Science Activities  
- Publication date: 2013  
- Publisher: Lunar and Planetary Institute  
- Instance of: document  
- Main subject: life on Mars  
- Part of series: LPI contribution  
- Country of origin: United States  
- Place of publication: Houston  
- Language of work or name: English  
- Wikidata description: document published in 2013  
- Work available at URL: https://repository.hou.usra.edu/handle/20.500.11753/1736  
- Author (Andrew Shaner) – qualifier : 4, stated as Andrew Shaner  
- Author (Keliann LaConte) – qualifier : 3, stated as Keliann LaConte  
- Author name string (Yolanda Ballard) – qualifier : 1  
- Author name string (Eve Halligan) – qualifier : 2  
- Author name string (Stephanie Shipp) – qualifier : 5  
- Document class – sitelink count: 87  
- Lunar and Planetary Institute – inception (preferred): 1978-02-00  
- Lunar and Planetary Institute – country: United States (with multiple references)  
- Lunar and Planetary Institute – headquarters: Houston (with qualifier : 1125306588)  
- Lunar and Planetary Institute – sitelink count: 10  
- United States – inception (declaration of independence): 1776-07-04  
- United States – inception (preferred, independence recognized): 1784-05-12  
- United States – sitelink count: 423  

## FAQs
**What is Explore! Life on Mars?: Hands-on Science Activities?**  
It is a 2013 document that provides hands‑on science activities centered on the possibility of life on Mars, published by the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

**Who created the document?**  
The document lists Andrew Shaner and Keliann LaConte as authors, with additional author name strings for Yolanda Ballard, Eve Halligan, and Stephanie Shipp.

**Which organization published the work and where is it based?**  
The Lunar and Planetary Institute, an American research institute headquartered in Houston, published the document.

**When was the document made available and in what language?**  
It was published in 2013 and is available in English.

**How can the document be accessed online?**  
The work is accessible via the URL https://repository.hou.usra.edu/handle/20.500.11753/1736.

**What broader series does the document belong to?**  
It is part of the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s LPI contribution series.

**What is the main topic covered in the document?**  
The main subject of the document is life on Mars.

**Where was the document published geographically?**  
The place of publication is Houston, which is also the headquarters of the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

**How is the document classified in knowledge bases?**  
It is classified as an instance of a document, a form for preservation of structured and identified information.

**What is the Wikidata description of the document?**  
The Wikidata entry describes it simply as “document published in 2013.”

## Why It Matters
Explore! Life on Mars?: Hands-on Science Activities serves as an educational resource that translates current astrobiological research into practical, classroom‑ready activities. By focusing on life on Mars, it helps learners engage with one of the most compelling questions in planetary science, fostering interest in STEM fields. As a product of the Lunar and Planetary Institute, a leading U.S. research organization, the document contributes to the institute’s mission of disseminating planetary science knowledge to educators and the public. Its availability in English and through an open repository widens access, allowing teachers worldwide to incorporate hands‑on Mars exploration into their curricula.

## Notable For
- Part of the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s LPI contribution series  
- Published in 2013, representing a recent contribution to Mars‑related educational material  
- Focuses exclusively on hands‑on activities for teaching about life on Mars  
- Produced by a U.S.‑based research institute with headquarters in Houston  
- Made freely accessible via an institutional repository URL  
- Available in English, supporting broad educational use  
- Classified as a document, a structured information preservation format  

## Body

### Overview
Explore! Life on Mars?: Hands-on Science Activities is a document that presents a set of hands‑on science activities designed to teach concepts related to life on Mars. It was published in 2013 by the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

### Authorship
The document credits two primary authors: Andrew Shaner (with qualifier : 4, stated as Andrew Shaner) and Keliann LaConte (with qualifier : 3, stated as Keliann LaConte). Additional author name strings are provided for Yolanda Ballard (: 1), Eve Halligan (: 2), and Stephanie Shipp (: 5).

### Publication Details
- Publisher: Lunar and Planetary Institute  
- Instance of: document  
- Main subject: life on Mars  
- Part of series: LPI contribution  
- Publication date: 2013  
- Country of origin: United States  
- Place of publication: Houston  
- Language of work or name: English  
- Wikidata description: document published in 2013  
- Work available at URL: https://repository.hou.usra.edu/handle/20.500.11753/1736  

### Related Entities
**Document class**  
- Defined as a form for preservation of structured and identified information  
- Sitelink count: 87  

**Lunar and Planetary Institute**  
- American research institute located in Houston  
- Inception (preferred): 1978-02-00  
- Country: United States (supported by multiple reference entries)  
- Headquarters: Houston, with qualifier : 1125306588 and an image reference  
- Sitelink count: 10  

**United States**  
- Country situated primarily in North America  
- Inception entries:  
  - 1776-07-04, qualified as declaration of independence and subject of the United States Declaration of Independence  
  - 1784-05-12, marked as preferred, qualified as independence recognized by the country from which it separated and subject of the Treaty of Paris (1783)  
- Sitelink count: 423  

### Access and Distribution
The document is hosted in the Lunar and Planetary Institute’s repository and can be retrieved directly via the persistent URL https://repository.hou.usra.edu/handle/20.500.11753/1736. This open access approach enables educators and interested individuals to download and use the material without restriction.

### Series and Subject Classification
As part of the LPI contribution series, the document aligns with other scholarly outputs from the institute that aim to share planetary science insights. Its main subject—life on Mars—places it within the astrobiology and planetary exploration domains, emphasizing practical engagement through activities rather than purely theoretical discussion.

### Language and Audience
The work is presented in English, indicating its target audience includes English‑speaking educators, students, and outreach professionals. The hands‑on nature of the activities suggests suitability for classroom workshops, museum programs, or informal learning environments.