Mission to Mars Accomplished!

Sixth graders spent the fall learning about the solar system and gearing up for their virtual mission to Mars, for which they design, construct, and build their own Mars Lander and Rover. The astronaut in this challenge is actually an eggstronaut. The goal of the project is to economically build a Mars Lander that will enable the egg to survive the impact and a Mars Rover that will travel the furthest on reaching the red planet. This week was the culmination of that project as students brought in their landers and rovers to be tested. 

      To prepare for their mission, students spent the fall learning how scientists gather information about planets from afar and practicing the skill of crater dating to determine what kind of area would make a suitable landing site for their Mars lander. Before heading home for Thanksgiving Break, Science Teacher Cecilia Owens gave everyone some necessary materials for their project that they could supplement with items found at home. However, supplies are carefully budgeted on a point system, and students are credited for unused points in their final design, so the addition of each material had to be carefully considered. In December, sixth graders designed and constructed their Mars Lander and Rover. When they were building during class, students worked in groups to share ideas, ask questions, and keep each other company.

Along with their lander and rover, each student was also responsible for creating a Google Slideshow presenting their knowledge of Mars, their mission, and their rover and lander designs. The final designs incorporated some unique additions like a plastic clamshell from a bath bomb and a McDonalds’ Happy Meal style box. Some designs were also creative out of necessity. When a family member accidentally crushed a student’s final project, he redesigned his lander just using a paper towel and straws that would distribute the shock of impact equally. “This led to a great discussion about how innovations sometimes happen from quite simple and obvious things,” says Cecilia.

 Students brought in their landers and rovers to be tested this week. Cecilia sent the rovers down a ramp in the classroom to see how far they traveled and dropped the landers from the Root Building Patio railing or the second floor of Harlow to a landing site on the gym floor. While a few eggstronauts did get scrambled on landing, students understood that while the mission may have failed, they did not. “We talk about what happened and how they can take what they have learned and try to do it a different way,” says Cecilia. “Everyone stays positive and while they are all trying for success, they also recognize that the project is about so much more.”