NASA's Curiosity/Mars Science Laboratory is scheduled to launch on November 25, 2011 at 10:25 a.m. EST. (This is subject to change, but the launch window is open from November 25 to December 18, 2011.) The Curiosity rover will arrive on Mars in August 2012. The Curiosity rover will investigate whether Mars ever was (or is still today), a place where microbes could live. (Visit the mission webpage for more details: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/.)
See this post for ideas on engaging your community around this launch: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=256.
At the time of the rover's landing, a new Explore! module will be available on this website! The module will provide facilitator background information, resource lists, and hands-on activities for children (ages 8 to 13) to investigate how and why scientists search for past or present microbial life on Mars. Stay tuned for further updates about this module!