This is what the Curiosity looks like (see below). We will have to wait about eight months before it lands and maybe some weeks after that before something significant is learned.
Curiosity - Mars Science Laboratory (Hover)
I am not overly convinced they will learn anything of real value, though it would be nice if more then just the planets make up was found. Are we really spending money on this? Why?
I've often thought about the amount of money these projects cost and questioned whether it is worth it. Maybe it might no seem that way now but projects like Curiosity will pay off in the long run if we can have Mars as a second home. What we really need to come up with is a better fuel method to get to these planets faster.