Workshop
FULL – Designing a Mission to Mars
When:
Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Where:
Von Karman Auditorium, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CaliforniaTarget Audience:
Educators for grades 6-12Overview:
Update: May 17, 2019 – This workshop is full. See below for online lessons and resources related to this workshop.When NASA designs a mission to Mars, it takes a wide array of teams from a diverse set of backgrounds to accomplish its goals. Likewise, in our classrooms, we want students to employ different styles of thinking to demonstrate their creativity and learning. In this workshop, we will highlight a model unit plan that schools can use, featuring several NASA lessons. These NGSS-aligned activities will explore several engineering and math practices that are sure to engage our future scientists and engineers.
- This workshop is not available online; you must be physically present to participate.
- This workshop is limited to educators at U.S.-based institutions and organizations.
Questions? Call the Educator Resource Center at 818-393-5917.
Can't attend the workshop? Explore these standards-aligned lessons and resources online.
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Mission to Mars Unit
In this standards-aligned unit, students learn about Mars, design a mission to explore the planet, build and test model spacecraft and components, and engage in scientific exploration.
Grades 3-8
Time 15-20 class periods
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Touchdown
Students design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two "astronauts" when they land.
Grades 3-8
Time 30 mins - 1 hr
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Marsbound! Mission to the Red Planet
This board-game activity teaches students the process of design, engineering and technology for a mission to Mars.
Grades 3-12
Time 1-2 hrs
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Let's Go to Mars! Calculating Launch Windows
Students use advanced algebra concepts to determine the next opportunity to launch a spacecraft to Mars.
Grades 9-12
Time 30 mins - 1 hr
This free workshop is offered through the NASA/JPL Educator Resource Center, which provides formal and informal educators with NASA resources and materials that support STEM learning. For more information, visit the Educator Resource Center page.