Students use 21st-century learning skills and technologies to support a colony of humans on Mars. They'll investigate how to best meet needs for food, water, power and a safe atmosphere using real research.
Mars 2040
For Grades 6-8
- Location: Griffin MSI
- Capacity: 30 students
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Cost: $240
- Offered Tuesday and Thursday at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

Lab goals
During every session we aim to have students reach understanding and have fun along the way!
Student outcomes
- Explore STEM with a focus on NASA research, missions, goals and aims
- Communicate effectively with peers and adult role models and practice 21st century science and technology skills
- Work collaboratively to tackle many of the same challenges that NASA scientists are confronting themselves in the effort to travel to and inhabit Mars
- Engage in inquiry-based and hands-on science learning experiences
Next Generation Science Standards
All of our Learning Labs are designed to integrate curriculum standards and connections into your classroom!
Science and Engineering Practices:
- Asking questions and defining problems
- Developing and using models
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Constructing explanations and designing solutions
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information
Crosscutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Energy and matter
- Structure and function
Disciplinary Core Ideas
- PS 3: EnergyLS 2: Ecosystems
- ESS 1: Earth's place in the universe
- ESS 3: Earth and human activity
- ETS 1: Engineering design
- ETS 2: Links among engineering, technology, science and society