First Union Challenger Center: Voyage to Mars™ Martha D. Rogers, Coordinator, Mathematics & Science Center Developed with funding from the Mathematics & Science Center

Grade/Subject

Grade 6, Science; Earth Science; Math 6; Computer Technology

Major Understanding

Teamwork, problem solving and responsible decision-making are valuable components of a space mission. Specific tasks successfully performed by astronaut teams combine to accomplish the goal of a successful Martian landing and lift off. Mars’ geology, geography and meteorology influence the choice of landing site and impact the integrity of the mission.

Objectives		Use interdisciplinary skills including reading, writing, science, mathematics, and technology to work effectively as teams to accomplish the mission goals.
		Learn about the planet Mars including its geology and geography.

Time	Pre-flight briefing	10 min
	First half of mission	45 min
	Mid-flight briefing-crew change	10 min
	Second half of mission	45 min
	Post-flight debriefing	10 min

Materials

For each student team: Post-it note supply Pencils Notebooks used in Mars Control Task cards used in the Mars Transport Vehicle For the mission: Voyage to Mars™: Mission Storyline COM team: microphones DATA team: computer and label writer printer MED team: computer program, blood pressure cuff, thermometer ISO team: robotic arms, flasks holding liquids, electronic balance, meteoroid panels, air filters, spent fuel rods, fluorescent beads LS team: hygrometer, barometer, thermometer, air filters, seed assortment, indicator solution, test tubes, graduated cylinders, beaker, ammeter and light filters. REM team: Earth rocks, Earth soil, Mars rocks, Martian soil PROBE team: Probe and probe parts to install, test cables, electronic balance

State and National Correlations

Virginia Standards of Learning: 2003 Science 6 (6.1,6.8); 2010 Science 6 (6.1, 6.8); 2003 Earth Science (ES.1,ES.3, ES.4, ES.5); 2010 Earth Science (ES.1, ES.3, ES.4); 2001 Math 6 (6.10); 2009 Math 5:(5.8d); Computer Technology (C/T 5.3, C/T 8.4)  National Science Education Standards: Evidence, models, and explanations; Properties and changes of properties in matter, motions and forces, Earth in the solar system National Council of Teachers of Mathematics: Collect data; Represent data using tables and graphs.

21^st Century Curriculum

Engineering: Nature of STEM (1.21, 1.23); The Engineered World (3.31)

Instructional Strategies

1. Pre-mission activities Team Job Descriptions Crew Manifest Team Badges Communications Activity Following Directions Activity: Making a Paper Drinking Cup Review Fast Facts about Mars Review Mars geography Vallis Marineris Noctis Labyrinthus Tharsis Montes Olympus Mons Chryse Planitia 2. Voyage to Mars™ space mission a. Mission briefing using PowerPoint presentation: Introductions Setting the stage with the Voyage to Mars™: Mission Storyline. Team assignment check Communications briefing Verbal communication Written communication Visual communication Computer communication Review of Mars geography b. First Half of Voyage to Mars™ The crew on board the Mars Transport Vehicle (MTV) performs team- related tasks and sends data on the results to Mars Control. The Mars Controllers receive data from the crew on board the MTV, record the data in Mission Data Logs, perform data analysis, solve problems, and make responsible decisions that ultimately lead to a successful mission. COM team sends and receives verbal messages. DATA team sends and receives numerical and long messages. NAV team triangulates MTV position, determines landing path, assists the PROBE team in launching the probe to a Martian moon. MED team performs medical tests on astronauts. ISO team uses robotic arms to handle potentially dangerous materials in the isolation chamber. LS team takes a seed survey of crew and checks MTV environmental conditions. REM examines and sorts geological samples and determines magnetic and physical properties. PROBE assembles and tests a probe to be launched to one of the Martian moons. c. Mid-flight briefing Team status check Crew change d. Second Half of Voyage to Mars™ The following teams continue their tasks: COM, DATA, MED, ISO, LS REM begins to examine Martian rocks and soil. PROBE builds another probe for launch to the second Martian moon. NAV checks cameras, determines rate of fuel burn to ensure a safe voyage to Earth, launches the probe, and prepares MTV for lift off surface of Mars.

Closure

Post-mission Debriefing: Each team gives a team report that describes what their mission responsibilities were and how these responsibilities contributed to the success of the mission. Team Debriefing Report Worksheet

Practice

1. Build mathematics and science skills with team related activities to help prepare students for the Voyage to Mars™ mission. Identifying Unknown Rock Samples Determining pH of Solutions Apparent Size Practice Radiation and Shielding Solar Cell Filter Measurement Estimation of Micrometeoroid Strikes 2. The following activities may be used after coming to the Challenger Center to reinforce the experience for the students. a. Hold a Post-Mission Press Conference and invite parents, school administrators, or other classes to attend.         b. Use writing skills to: Write an article for the school newspaper describing the mission and team responsibilities. Write a poem, haiku, or limerick that describes Mars, space flight, the solar system, and/or the Challenger Center mission.

Extensions

1. Drive the Mars Exploration Rovers across the Martian Terrain. http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/m2k4/driverover/frameset.html 2. Gravity on Mars is about 38% that of Earth. Calculate your weight on Mars: http://www.exploringmars.com/science/weight.html 3. Train in astronomy, atmospheric science, geology, and biology and then, design a habitable planet! http://astroventure.arc.nasa.gov 4. Go to http://mathinscience.info for activities, lesson plans, and instructional kits that investigate topics related to team activities performed during the mission or that can be related to Mars exploration: a. Radiation and You is an Instructional Kit that can be used to explore radiation and its effects. b. The following links will link to applicable lesson plans that use the ALTA reflectance spectrophotometer. This technology has applications for remote sensing used by satellites to image the Earth. This same technology is used to image and map the surface of Mars. Soil, Rocks, and Color Shedding Light on Satellite Images c. Learn about the International Space Station, an orbiting laboratory where research related to the future exploration of Mars is being conducted. d. Increase students’ understanding of the properties of soil (important in Mars exploration) with the activity, Soil Texture Using a Soil Sieve. e. A Spinning Earth and Rocket Launches is a lesson that will teach students how the shape and spin of the Earth affects the way rockets can be launched into space. Using this knowledge of Earth Science along with an understanding of Newton's three laws of motion and universal gravity, students can determine the best place to launch a payload into Earth orbit.

Assessment

Paper and Pencil Test: Voyage to Mars™ Product Task

Objective	Paper-Pencil Test	Product/ Performance
Use interdisciplinary skills including reading, writing, science, mathematics, and technology to work effectively as teams to accomplish the mission goals.	6,7,8,9,10,11, 12,13,14,15, 16,17,8,19,20
Learn about the planet Mars including its geology and geography.	1,2,3,4,5
Major Understanding: Teamwork, problem solving and responsible decision-making are valuable components of a space mission. Specific tasks successfully performed by astronaut teams combine to accomplish the goal of a successful Martian landing and lift off. Mars’ geology, geography and meteorology influence the choice of landing site and impact the integrity of the mission.		Product Task

Teaching Tips

Paper and Pencil Test Answers Rubric for Evaluating Product Task

References

Challenger Center for Space Science Education Learn about Challenger Center for Space Science Education, its educational programs, and the Challenger Learning Centers located throughout the United States, Canada and Great Britain. http://www.challenger.org Cornell University’s Web Site for the Mars Exploration Rovers. This web site contains information about Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rovers with many links. http://athena.cornell.edu Exploring Mars Web Site. This is an independent educational site sponsored by Mars enthusiasts. This web site is easy for students to use. http://www.exploringmars.com/index.html Mars Exploration Rovers Home Page. This site contains the latest information about the Mars Exploration Rovers with many links to sites about the status of the Mars Rovers. http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html Mathematics & Science Center Information on educational programs available to students, teachers and school divisions and procedures for registering for programs. http://mathsciencecenter.info Mathematics & Science Center: On-Line Educational Programs Learn through on-line virtual classrooms, web-based lessons and on-line courses. Access proven lesson plans and instructional modules. http://mathinscience.info NASA’s Educational Home Page. Use the search engine on this page to find NASA’s online educational information. http://education.nasa.gov NASA’s Mars Program Home Page. Extensive information about current and past Mars exploration. There are many links to Mars related information. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov NASA’s Student Oriented Home Page. Students will find space-related games, puzzles and other information at this site. http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov Window to the Universe Home Page. Explore all aspects of the entire solar system at this web site with many links to other similar sites. http://www.windows.ucar.edu