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.
Mobile Mars 2040
For Grades 5-8
- Location: We travel to you!
- Capacity: 30 students
- Duration: 45–60 minutes
- Cost: $280 (travel fees apply outside of Chicago)
- Mobile Labs are offered between 8 a.m. and noon and/or between 1 p.m. and 6 p.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
Career pathways we will explore
- Astronomer
- Dietitian
- Nutritionist
- Energy engineer
- Environmental engineering technologist
- Materials scientist
- Aerospace engineer
- Atmosphere and space scientist
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
- Planning and carrying out investigations
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Constructing explanations
- Engaging in argument from evidence
- Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information
Crosscutting Concepts
- Patterns
- Energy and matter
- Structure and function
Disciplinary Core Ideas
- ETS 2: Links among engineering, technology, science and society
- LS 2: Ecosystems
- ESS 1: Earth's place in the universe
- ESS 3: Earth and human activity
- ETS 1: Engineering design
