Transcript Mars Here We Come!

Mars
Here We Come!
The 2010 Mars Rover Model Celebration An Overview of the Curricula & Resources
A Legacy Event From
The New Face of Space
Exciting the Next Generation
Educational Events and Activities at the
World Space Congress 2002 and the
What is the Mars Rover Celebration?
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Primary and middle school
(Grades 3-8) students.
Design and build a model
of a Mars Rover.
Select a specific science mission
on Mars.
The model will be a minimal cost
mock-up, constructed of mostly
found/recycled objects.
A low-cost solar-powered car kit
($10) or radio-controlled car
($25) may serve as the chassis.
Contestant
Motivation
Provide very low-cost
alternative to true
robotics programs
 Develop flexible
curriculum module that
covers planetary science &
aerospace engineering
 Excite and motivate future
engineers & scientists
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Rooted in the schools
Based on JPL’s Mars
Millennium project
 Brought to Houston by
Mayor’s SparkPark
project
 Refined and further
developed by Holly
Smith, Bendwood
Elementary, SBISD
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Mars Unit Overview
Research the characteristics of Mars
 Investigate the features of NASA’s probes
 Power for Probes – Solar Racer (optional)
 Design teams decide on mission & rover features,
& create initial draft with the criteria in mind
 Build rovers using craft materials
 Plan presentation to share their team’s Mars Rover
 Compete in the Mars Rover Celebration, Jan. 30, 2010
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Research the Red Planet
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Learn about the features &
conditions on Mars
Gather information critical for
a Mars space probe
Use various sources – Internet,
NASA materials, videos, CDROMS, DVDs, etc.
Share information in a fun
way – have student groups
teach the class about their
findings.
Research space probes
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Learn how space probes
communicate and conduct
experiments on Mars
See how space probes are
designed to survive in harsh
conditions
Learn how rovers are
designed & tested
Share facts & findings
Note mission similarities
Learning About Mars & Probes
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Take a field trip to NASA’s
Space Center Houston
Invite guest speakers to talk
to the class about Mars,
space probes or robotics
Ask questions online with
NASA experts
Powering Probes : Solar Racer
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Great for learning about solar
power and experimenting
with various kinds of
propulsion
Cost: $10 per kit – teams of
about 2-3 are practical
Fun for races, analyzing
design & propulsion
strategies
Solar Racer Kits
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Solar Racer Kit 1 available
from www.kelvin.com, a
Pisco Sunzoon Lite Kit or
equivalent (less than $15).
How To Video – Solar Racers
available as a starting guide
Tools & supplies – knives,
balsa wood, fine grain
Styrofoam, soldering iron,
markers, and glue guns
Tips for Creating A Solar Racer
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Formal instruction on pieces in
the kit, the assembly options,
steps & pitfalls
Emphasize safety using the
tools – knives & glue guns
Show finished a sample of each
type of propulsion
Lots of parent helpers to help
solder & assist teams
Rover Planning: Mission on Mars
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Begin completing the leading
questions in the Mars Rover
Guide
Obtain consensus on 2-3
objectives for their mission
Examine map of Mars to
locate a landing site to
accomplish mission goals
Rover Planning: Mission on Mars
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Brainstorm the technology
and features needed to
accomplish their mission
Brainstorm features to
handle the harsh conditions
– cold, dust, rough terrain.
Sketch initial design
incorporating team’s ideas
Build your Rovers
Review Mars conditions
 Review highlights of
NASA’s probes to Mars
 Review the criteria for
the 2010 Mars Rover
Celebration
 Form Rover Design
Teams of 3-4 members
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The Rover Team
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Emphasize teamwork and
group decision making
Use various arts & craft
supplies along with materials
available from the store – foil,
cups, Styrofoam trays,
straws, spoons, etc.
Use book tape & hot glue for
assembly of the pieces
Presenting the Mission
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Explain the criteria for the
presentations - rubric
Encourage creativity with
skits, props and costumes
Explain key features and the
rover’s capabilities in the
extreme conditions
Develop scripts & practice
Presenting the Mission
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The day is here! Share rovers
and creative ideas for future
exploration
Encourage probing and
clarifying questions from the
audience
Evaluate rovers and
presentations based on
established criteria - rubric
Resources For Mars
Rover Project
Johnson Space Center Educator
Resource Center Space Center
Houston
1601 NASA Rd. 1
(281-244-2129)
Free for Teachers
Mars Rover Competition Website
http://marsrover.phys.uh.edu/
Items of Interest:
•Schedule
•Contest Rules
•Entry Form
•Resources
•Mars Here We Come
Slideshow
Teaming up for the mission
Sharing the project
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Lights, camera … skit!
The judging set-up
Winners!
2010 Celebration Schedule
Teacher Training Workshop
 September 26, 9-12, Room 232 Phillip G. Hoffman Hall, UH
Mars Rover Model Celebration
 January 30, 12-6, Houston Room, University Center, UH
Forms for registration and entry can be found on the Mars
Rover website, www.marsrover.org
Teacher Training Workshop
September 26, 9-12, Room 232 Phillip G. Hoffman Hall, UH
 Register by September 18
(late registration will be accepted as late as morning of)
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$15 fee, includes one sample solar kit
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Taught by UH professors and staff and middle school science
teacher
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Certificate of Attendance
Mars Rover Celebration 2010
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January 30, 2010
12-6, Houston Room, University Center, UH
Enter by November 15 at www.marsrover.org
Capacity is 80 models.
Nominal entry size will be three teams’ models per grade level
per school. Minimum is one. Actual maximum will be determined
when entries close.
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Event includes UH campus science tour, Mars presentation,
NASA speakers, and STEM-related exhibits.
Mars
Here We Come!
January 30, 2010
For more information, please contact
Dr. Edgar A. Bering, [email protected], or
Kim Usey, Director of Communications, TLC2,
[email protected]
The 2009-10 Mars Rover Model
Competition An Overview of the Curricula &
Resources
Holly Smith, Chad GoGan, Karen Staley, et al.