This activity focuses on the relationship between science of looking for life and the tools, on vehicles such as the Mars Rover, that make it possible. Learners will create their own models of a Mars rover. They determine what tools would be... (View More) necessary to help them better understand Mars (and something about life on Mars/its habitability). Then they work in teams to complete a design challenge where they incorporate these elements into their models, which must successfully complete a task. Teams may also work together to create a large-scale, lobby-sized version that may be put on display in the library to engage their community. The activity also includes specific tips for effectively engaging girls in STEM. This is activity 6 in Explore: Life on Mars? that was developed specifically for use in libraries. (View Less)

This is a lesson about simple machines and how they relate to robots. Learners will gain an understanding of simple machines and how they may be used in our everyday lives. Students will also have an opportunity to design a Rube Goldberg Machine of... (View More) their own. This is lesson 10 of 16 in the MarsBots learning module. (View Less)

This lesson is about cleanroom technology. Learners will discover why it is important to observe a certain protocol when in the cleanroom. This will then be related to the scientific process of controlling variables in an environment. Includes a... (View More) teacher's guide and students handouts. Video and audio clips are provided. This lesson 1 of 10 from Dynamic Design: The Cleanroom module. (View Less)

This lesson is about cleanroom technology and accompanies the Genesis mission cleanroom video, Cleanroom Technology: NASA Genesis Mission, available on the Genesis outreach Web site. Learners will understand the conditions that are necessary for the... (View More) assembly of the spacecraft scientific payload. Includes a teacher's guide and students handouts. Video and audio clips are provided. This lesson 2 of 10 from the Dynamic Design: The Cleanroom module - although it can also serve as a stand-alone lesson. (View Less)

This lesson is about cost limitations on mission design. Learners will be given a budget of $150,000 and an approved subcontractor list that has a listing of the materials and costs for construction. This is activity 6 of 7 in "Dynamic Design:... (View More) Launch and Propulsion." (View Less)

This lesson is about data collection. Learners will investigate different methods of sampling in a simulated cleanroom environment. Includes a teacher's guide and students handouts. This lesson 7 of 10 from the Dynamic Design: The Cleanroom module.

This is a lesson about spacecraft design. Learners will think like engineers as they are presented with problems that the NASA team faced when designing a spacecraft to travel to Saturn. Students work with partners to think of solutions to address... (View More) those problems, and to use these ideas to sketch their spacecraft. This is lesson 6 of 12 in the Mission to Saturn Educators Guide, Reading Writing Rings, for grades 3-4. (View Less)

This activity is about rocket propulsion. Learners will use use baking soda and vinegar to propel an object across the floor and understand how real rockets propel themselves in space. This activity should be carried out with adult supervision. This... (View More) is activity 21 of 25 from Mars Activities. (View Less)