Mars Here We Come!

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MarsHere We Come!

• The 2011 Mars Rover Model Celebration -
• An Overview of the Curricula Resources

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A Legacy Event FromThe New Face of
SpaceExciting the Next Generation
Educational Events and Activities at the World
Space Congress 2002 and the
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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.

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Contestant
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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 JPLs Mars Millennium project
• Brought to Houston by Mayors 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 NASAs 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 teams Mars
  Rover
• Compete in the Mars Rover Celebration, Jan. 30,
  2010

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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.

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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

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Learning About Mars Probes

• Take a field trip to NASAs Space Center Houston
• Invite guest speakers to talk to the class about
  Mars, space probes or robotics
• Ask questions online with NASA experts

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Rover Planning Mission on Mars

• 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 teams ideas

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Build your Rovers

• Review Mars conditions
• Review highlights of NASAs probes to Mars
• Review the criteria for the 2011 Mars Rover
  Celebration
• Form Rover Design Teams of 3-4 members

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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

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Presenting the Mission

• Explain the criteria for the presentations -
  rubric
• Encourage creativity with skits, props and
  costumes
• Explain key features and the rovers capabilities
  in the extreme conditions
• Develop scripts practice

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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

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Resources For Mars Rover Project

Johnson Space Center Educator Resource Center
Space Center Houston 1601 NASA Rd. 1
(281-244-2129) Free for Teachers
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Mars Rover Competition Websitehttp//marsrover.ph
ys.uh.edu/

• Items of Interest
• Schedule
• Contest Rules
• Entry Form
• Resources
• Mars Here We Come Slideshow

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Teaming up for the mission
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Sharing the project

• Lights, camera skit!

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The judging set-up
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Winners!
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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

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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

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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.

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MarsHere We Come!January 29, 2011

• For more information, please contact
• Dr. Edgar A. Bering, eabering_at_uh.edu, or
• Jennifer James, Director of Communications, TLC2,
  jtjames_at_tlc2.uh.edu

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• The 2010-11 Mars Rover Model Competition -
• An Overview of the Curricula Resources
• Holly Smith, Chad GoGan, Karen Staley, et al.