MarsHere We Come!

The 2011 Mars Rover Model Celebration -

An Overview of the Curricula & Resources

A Legacy Event From

The New Face of SpaceExciting the Next Generation

                                           

Educational Events and Activities at the World Space Congress 2002 and the

                  

                                                                      

What is the Mars Rover Celebration?

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

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

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

Research the Red Planet Learn about the features &

conditions on Mars Gather information critical for

a Mars space probe Use various sources – Internet,

NASA materials, videos, CD-ROMS, DVDs, etc.

Share information in a fun way – have student groups teach the class about their

findings.

Research space probes 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Rover Planning: Mission on Mars

Build your Rovers

Review Mars conditions Review highlights of

NASA’s probes to Mars Review the criteria for

the 2011 Mars Rover Celebration

Form Rover Design Teams of 3-4 members

The Rover Team 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

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

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

Lights, camera … skit!

The judging set-up

Winners!

2011 Celebration Schedule

Teacher Training Workshop September 25, 9-4, Room 232 Phillip G. Hoffman Hall, UH

Mars Rover Model Celebration January 29, 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 25, 9-12, Room 232 Phillip G. Hoffman Hall, UH Register by September 15

(late registration will be accepted as late as morning of)

$25 fee, includes one sample solar kit and lunch

Taught by UH professors and staff and middle school science teacher

CPE Certificate

Mars Rover Celebration 2011

January 29, 2011

12-6, Houston Room, University Center, UH Enter by November 15 at www.marsrover.org Capacity is 180 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.

Event includes UH campus science tour, Mars presentation, NASA speakers, and STEM-related exhibits.

MarsHere We Come!

January 29, 2011

For more information, please contact

Dr. Edgar A. Bering, eabering@uh.edu, or

Jennifer James, Director of Communications, TLC2, jtjames@tlc2.uh.edu

The 2010-11 Mars Rover Model Competition -

An Overview of the Curricula & Resources

Holly Smith, Chad GoGan, Karen Staley, et al.