Volume 11, Number 3 • Fall 2003 • Technology Transfer

NASA Educators Challenge Students

As five spacecraft from countries around this world rapidly approach Mars, NASA educators are challenging students to learn about the red planet and design creatures that could survive in the harsh Martian environment.

In October, NASA Quest at NASA Ames Research Center, located in California’s Silicon Valley, launched the “Design-a-Martian Challenge.” NASA Quest is an educational Web site dedicated to bringing the NASA experience to K–12 students. The seven-week challenge builds upon the growing excitement about the red planet, and provides students an opportunity to interact with NASA Mars experts and other students from around the world.

“The Design-a-Martian Challenge is a great opportunity to have students actively participate in one of the greatest scientific endeavors in recent history,” said Donald James, Education Director at NASA Ames. “With the knowledge gained from the challenge, the students will be Mars experts within their families and classrooms when the twin Mars Exploration Rovers land on Mars at the beginning of 2004.”

During the first few weeks of the challenge, students used NASA’s Astro-Venture, a Web site that helps students understand what makes a planet habitable, to research the conditions needed by humans to survive on Earth so they can apply that knowledge to Mars. As the students gained a better understanding of the planet, they began designing creatures that could survive punishing sand storms, cold temperatures and the other harsh conditions on Mars.

During the challenge, students were able to interact with NASA scientists to talk about Mars, NASA’s missions to the red planet and their Martian creature designs.

“As NASA scientists, we are always looking to encourage students to take an active interest in science and exploration,” said Geoff Briggs, Scientific Director of NASA’s Center for Mars Exploration. “The Design-a-Martian outreach program builds upon the interest generated by the recent close opposition (alignment) of Earth and Mars and upon the excitement of the up-coming Mars landings. It’s a great way to spark students’ interest.”

Final Martian creature designs were due in late November. The Design-a-Martian Challenge will conclude with a Webcast on December 3. During the Webcast, NASA scientists will update the students with the latest on Mars research and the progress of the Mars Rovers, and provide final feedback on the students’ Martian creature designs. *

For More information, contact Jonas Dino at Ames Research Center, 650/604-5612, or jonas.dino@nasa.gov
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

NASA Official: Jonathan Root • Web Design: Printing & Design Office, NASA Headquarters • Credits