Coding for Craters

Sixth grade scientists continued their exploration of space and Earth's dynamic systems with a hands-on study of rocks this month. Students took on an exciting coding challenge using LEGO Spike Prime kits, designing and programming Mars rovers to travel to three different sites on the Red Planet. Their mission: to collect rock samples and analyze their potential value for future human use to recommend a landing site to NASA.

To kick off the project, each student designed a map of the Martian surface, including at least two obstacles their rover would need to navigate around while traveling between exploration sites. These individual maps were then translated into larger, laminated replicas of Mars’ terrain. Working in small groups, students programmed their rovers to follow a designated path across the surface, carefully maneuvering around obstacles to reach each target location. Students entered the project with a wide range of coding experience. The LEGO Spike Prime programming environment allows for code strings to be built using either word blocks or icon blocks, making it accessible to beginners while still offering complexity for more advanced learners. Throughout the project, students collaborated and shared their knowledge—those new to coding received support from peers, while some sixth graders with prior experience, including Python programming, took on leadership roles within their groups.

As they programmed, each group faced the challenge of determining how many seconds their rover needed to roll before executing a turn. Through trial and error, students tested their rovers, making careful observations and adjustments as they encountered obstacles, whether it was a rover veering off the map or rolling into a crater. This iterative process helped them fine-tune their programs for greater accuracy and success.

Students encountered two rock samples at each of the three exploration sites—a mix of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types. Their task was to classify each sample, research its properties, and investigate potential uses. Could the rock be used for building materials? Does it contain minerals valuable to future space missions? Students applied their knowledge and curiosity to explore how Earth's rocks might be helpful in a Martian environment.