STEM Challenge - Project: Explore Mars - Create a Space Probe for a MARS Mission

Engage your students with this week-long STEM challenge.

The Challenge:

A team of astronauts has just landed on Mars, but the astronauts cannot leave the base

because some of their equipment was damaged beyond repair during entry.

Fortunately, the air locks are still working and a probe can leave the spacecraft. The

goal of this mission was to bring back rock and soil samples. Even with the problems

on entry, NASA believes that with some ingenuity back on Earth, the mission can still

be a success. The flight director has given everyone who is willing to work on the

problem back at home the manifest of the spacecraft with the goal to create a working

probe. The probe will need to be able to collect samples from up to 50 meters from

the ship. As a low-level data analyst, you are eager to show your willingness to help out

with the mission. Using the manifest, build a prototype of a probe to present to the

NASA flight director. The winning design will be sent to Mars for the astronauts to

build. You've always thought you deserved a better salary. This is your time to prove

your worth! Good luck!

What's Included

• The 21st-century problem includes a video challenge which outlines the activity in a fun and easy to understand way.

• The slideshow presentation (PPT and Keynote) allows the teacher to facilitate the pacing throughout the project.

• The teacher lesson plans include TEKS and NGSS standards alignment, and step-by-step directions on what the teacher and students should be doing along the way.

• The student notebook will guide the student through the activity. The questions will challenge students to learn new information, reflect on learned information, and provide the students a framework for the entire project.

• Each lesson is written using the Launch process. Students are going to be brainstorming with their peers and reflecting on failures and opportunities. At the end of each project, we’ve asked the students to share their ideas with the world. This holds students accountable. They will put forth the best effort knowing other students could critique the project.

What Supplies Do I Need?

Each product contains a list of suggested supplies for the project. We were very cautious about choosing inexpensive items. This project has a suggested supply list that includes: Bottle caps from water bottles or other plastic bottles, Cardboard, Toothpicks, Paper, Paperclips, Pipe cleaners, Straight pins, Large buttons, Small plastic spoons, Small Dixie cups, Popsicle sticks, Glue, Tape, Toilet paper rolls, Baggies

The supply list is dynamic and can be adjusted to your situation.

NGSS and TEKS Standards

Aside from the engineering components of this project, students will be learning about the future of space exploration and its limitations.

NGSS: MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4

TEKS: 7.9B

Other STEM Challenges

Project: Rocket Launch - Create Rocket That is Ready for Launch

Project: Birdman - Design a Bird Beak for a Feeding Frenzy

Project: Electric - Design a System to Harness Wave Energy

Project: Hurricane Defender - Build a Hurricane Proof House

Project: Inhabit Mars - Build a Landing Device for Mars

Project: Lunar Base - Design a Lunar Colony

Project: Move - Design a Pulley System To Move a Heavy Load

Project: Save the Oceans - Design a Device to Clean the Oceans

Project: Skydive - Design a Parachute For Your New Business

Project: Thrills - Design A Fast and Furious Roller Coaster

Project: Wind and Sky - Create a 21st Century Turbine

Project: Explore Mars - Create a Space Probe for a MARS Mission

Save $$$

STEM Challenge Bundle 20% off

Connect with Kesler Science

Be sure to follow my TpT store by clicking on the red ‘Follow Me’ next to my Seller picture to receive notifications of new products and upcoming sales.

Blog - Kesler Science Lessons Blog for more great activities and freebies.

Follow me on Twitter @iamkesler

Great info and freebies on Facebook /keslerscience

Terms of Use

Copyright © Kesler Science, LLC. All rights reserved by the author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. Permission is never granted to enter Kesler Science materials into any form of AI for any purpose. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. Multiple licenses are available for purchase by departments, schools, or school districts. Contact chris@keslerscience.com for more information.