Makers Empire Challenge Courses

Mission to Mars

Curriculum Level:
3-4

Description:
In this challenge path students will learn about Mars and Space Travel. They will complete six design challenges as they work through the design thinking process. They will be presented with briefs for designing a rocket, a spacecraft landing device, a space helmet, a Mars Rover, and a sleeping station. Finally, students will be challenged to design a toy or gadget that could be fun or useful on Mars. They will need to consider design criteria and constraints and evaluate their finished designs.

How do I assign this challenge for my students?

Objectives:

1. Students identify factors that impact the design of products intended for use on Mars or in space travel.

2. Students identify criteria for success and design constraints relevant to specific design briefs.

3. Students generate and compare ideas for designs that meet design criteria and constraints.

4. Students use Makers Empire’s 3D modelling tools to effectively design 3D models and prototypes.

5. Students evaluate their designs against agreed design criteria.

6. Students manage a series of steps to complete design challenges.

Challenges in this course: 19

Introduction (video)
A short video introducing the Mission to Mars Challenge Path.
Getting to Mars 1 (video)
You will need a powerful rocket to launch your spacecraft. Watch this video to find out more.
Getting to Mars 2 (pro-training)
Follow our tutorial and find out how to make a rocket.
Getting to Mars 3 (design challenge)
Now you know how to make a rocket. We’re sure you can do better.
Landing on Mars 1 (video)
Are we there yet? Well nearly, but you’ll have to work out how to land your spacecraft on Mars. Watch this video to find out more.
Landing on Mars 2 (pro-training)
Follow our tutorial to learn how to make a spacecraft.
Landing on Mars 3 (design challenge)
How will you land your spacecraft?
Suit Up 1 (video)
It’s very cold on Mars and there’s not enough oxygen to breathe. You are going to need a space suit. Watch this video to find out more.
Suit Up 2 (pro-training)
Follow our tutorial to learn how to design a helmet for your space suit.
Suit Up 3 (design challenge)
Now you know how to make a space helmet, it’s time to get creative and design your own.
Exploring Mars 1 (video)
Now that you’ve landed on Mars it’s time to explore using a rover. Watch this video to find out more.
Exploring Mars 2 (pro-training)
Follow our tutorial to design a Mars Rover.
Exploring Mars 3 (design challenge)
How might you improve the Mars Rover? What special features could you add?
Living on a Space Station 1 (video)
It’s been a long journey, you must be tired. Where will you sleep? Watch this video to meet an astronaut and find out more.
Living on a Space Station 2 (quiz)
Let’s check in with what you’ve learned on your mission so far. Take our quiz.
Living on a Space Station 3 (design challenge)
It’s time for bed. You had better get your sleep station ready.
Mission to Mars Final Challenge 1 (video)
You have nearly completed your mission to Mars. Just one more challenge.
Mission to Mars Final Challenge 2 (quiz)
Before you start your design. Let’s check how much you know about Mars with our quiz.
Mission to Mars Final Challenge 3 (design challenge)
Your challenge is to design a toy or gadget that will be fun or useful on Mars.

Your mission is complete. Congratulations!