1. Mission to the Red Planet …a STEM learning activity created by NASA
Mission to Mars
Marsbound!
Mission to the Red Planet
…a STEM learning activity created by NASA

2. Presented by… NCDPI Science Consultant Donna Kenestrick
NBCT, Presidential Awardee
NASA Endeavor Fellow
301 North Wilmington Street
North Carolina DPI
Raleigh, North Carolina

3. What is Marsbound!? project-based STEM activity
students in grades 4-12
plan an unmanned mission
use reality-based science goals, engineering constraints, and economic guidelines

4. Endeavoring Marsbound!

5. Why Mars? Mars is near Earth Elliptical orbit like Earth
Potential for colony

6. Why MARS? Surface conditions Similar geology Availability of water
Atmosphere (thin)
Natural conditions similar to arctic and Antarctic

7. Mars is like EARTH 24.6 hour rotation Similar axis tilt Polar ice caps
Magnetic field

8. Mars is like EARTH
Large river valleys
‘Super’ grand canyon

9. Mars is like EARTH
Volcanoes

10. Mars is like EARTH Climate range similar to Earth
Sky and clouds, dust storms

11. Endeavoring Marsbound!
Introductory Activity:
Generate interest in MARS
PowerPoint presentation
Web quest
Symphony of Science

12. Exploring Mission Science Goals
NASA Marsbound
Activity 1:
Exploring Mission Science Goals
(page 4 TG, page 4 SG)
Students become familiar with the “Follow the Water” strategy/goals for exploring Mars
Students match goals to Mars features

13. Choosing Mission Science Goals
NASA Marsbound
Activity 2:
Choosing Mission Science Goals
(page 5 TG, page 7 SG)
Students discuss possible Science goals for their mission
Students choose 5 Science goals for their mission

14. Engineering Constraints
NASA Marsbound
Activity 3:
Engineering Constraints
(page 5 TG, page 7 SG)
Students learn about the concept of engineering constraints
Students examine engineering constraints of a mars mission and generate solutions to them

15. Building the Spacecraft
NASA Marsbound
Activity 4:
Building the Spacecraft
(page 5 TG, page 10 SG)
Students construct a spacecraft to carry out their planned mission

16. NASA Marsbound Activity 5: Mission Design Report
(page 6 TG, page 12 SG)
Students write up their mission design for submission to NASA

17. Endeavoring Marsbound!
Stand-Alone Activity: Design Challenge
(Activity 4 modified, page 6 TG)
Student groups complete Building the Spacecraft as a design challenge competition

18. Mars Design Challenge Note* mass requirements and allotments on cards
Note* energy requirements for a mission
Note* budget requirements for a mission: One million dollars

19. Mars Design Challenge
Using your Mission Cards, Design mat, and Design Log, plan a Mission to Mars.
When your Mission is ready to submit (you have calculated within budget, power and mass limitations), ask for your problem card. Discuss in your group how your problem card will impact your Mission.
(As time allows.) Choose someone from your group to report out to the group at large.

20. Resources Explore Mars …..basic information
Haughton Mars Project…analogue for Mars
ExploreMarsNow….interactive habitat
ASU Mars education program (NASA)

21. Resources NCDPI at NCWiseOwl: http://science.ncwiseowl.org/
…the PowerPoint and the pdf files to pursue MARSBOUND will be posted here

22. Symphony of Science: Mars is a World of Wonders