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

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Inspire your inventive genius