Mission to Mars: How Can Humans Live There?

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Mission to Mars: How Can Humans Live There?

Grade 4Social StudiesHistoryTechnologyGeography1 days

The 'Mission to Mars: How Can Humans Live There?' project invites 4th-grade students to explore how future space explorers can establish sustainable living conditions on Mars. Through activities like designing Mars habitats and studying Martian geography, students learn about human survival needs, resource management, and cultural adaptation. The project integrates multiple subjects including social studies, history, technology, and geography, aligned with key educational standards encouraging innovative thinking and critical problem-solving.

MarsSustainabilityHabitat DesignResource ManagementCultural AdaptationInnovationGeography

Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as future space explorers, develop sustainable living conditions on Mars by understanding and addressing the basic needs for human survival, geographical challenges, and resource management?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the basic needs of humans for survival on another planet?
How can we create a sustainable environment on Mars similar to Earth?
What challenges do astronauts face when traveling to and living on Mars?
How does living on Mars differ from living on Earth in terms of geography and resources?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to identify and describe the basic needs of humans for survival in a Mars environment.
Students will understand how to design a sustainable habitat on Mars by applying principles of resource management and environmental science.
Students will analyze the challenges astronauts face when traveling to and living on Mars, including geographical and environmental factors.
Students will develop an understanding of how living on Mars may require adapting or altering current human cultures and practices.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3

Primary

Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.Reason: Students will research historical, scientific, and technical information about living on Mars and explain the concepts related to sustainable living and geographical challenges.

Next Generation Science Standards

NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1

Primary

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.Reason: Students design a mockup habitat for Mars that meets specific criteria and constraints, reflecting real-world engineering challenges in space exploration.

C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards

C3.D2.Geo.4.3-5

Secondary

Explain how culture influences the way people modify and adapt to their environments.Reason: Understanding human adaptation and potential cultural development on Mars is key to creating sustainable environments for humans.

ISTE Standards for Students

ISTE.4.d

Supporting

Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance, and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.Reason: The project requires students to approach open-ended problems about sustainable living on Mars with innovative thinking and perseverance, making it closely aligned with ISTE standards.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mars Habitat Design Expo

Set up an expo where students develop models of Mars habitats, using materials provided in class or found at home. As they present their designs, they must explain the choices based on the planet's geographical and technological challenges.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Mars Mission Needs Assessment

Students will explore the basic needs of humans to survive on Mars by comparing them to conditions on Earth.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Discuss with students the basic human needs for survival (food, water, shelter, air).

2. Research the Martian environment including temperature, atmosphere, and surface conditions.

3. Compare Mars’ conditions to those of Earth and identify what changes are needed to meet human needs on Mars.

4. Create a chart listing the necessary changes for human survival on Mars.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive chart comparing Earth's and Mars' environments with identified human needs adaptations.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3 as students explain scientific concepts of survival and geographical challenges.

Activity 2

Martian Habitat Blueprint

Students will design and sketch a habitat that addresses the criteria for sustainable living on Mars using engineering principles.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the concepts of sustainability and the challenges specific to Mars (e.g., radiation, atmospheric pressure).

2. Create a list of features needed in a sustainable Martian habitat.

3. Sketch a blueprint of the habitat design incorporating innovative solutions to meet the sustainability criteria.

4. Present the blueprint to the class, explaining the engineering choices made.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed blueprint of a sustainable Martian habitat with labeled features.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1 as students define and design solutions to engineering challenges.

Activity 3

Cultural Adaptation on Mars

Students explore how human culture may need to adapt for survival and socialization on Mars.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Research how different environments on Earth have shaped cultures and social practices.

2. Identify the elements of human culture that would need adaptation on Mars.

3. Discuss and brainstorm ways to adapt or change cultural practices for communal living on Mars.

4. Role-play scenarios depicting life and cultural interactions on Mars.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA collaborative presentation on potential cultural adaptations and their rationale for life on Mars.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with C3.D2.Geo.4.3-5 by exploring cultural modification and adaptation in a new environment.

Activity 4

Innovative Problem Solving Workshop

Students work in teams to tackle open-ended problems related to Martian survival, employing creative and critical thinking skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Identify key challenges faced by humans on Mars from previous activities.

2. Form teams to brainstorm and develop innovative solutions for one chosen challenge.

3. Encourage teams to embrace ambiguity and iterate on their ideas.

4. Share team solutions with the class and get feedback to refine the ideas.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA team-developed, detailed solution for overcoming a specific challenge of living on Mars.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports ISTE.4.d by fostering perseverance and innovative thinking in solving open-ended problems.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Mars Mission: Sustainable Living Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Human Needs and Environmental Challenges

Assesses the student's ability to articulate the basic human needs for survival and the environmental challenges presented by Mars, aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3.

Criterion 1

Identification of Human Needs

Ability to identify and explain the essential needs for human survival in the Martian environment.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly identifies and explains all human survival needs specific to Mars, providing detailed evidence and comparisons to Earth.

Proficient

3 Points

Accurately identifies and explains most human survival needs for Mars with adequate evidence and some comparison to Earth.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some human survival needs but lacks depth and only partial comparison to Earth's conditions.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify basic human survival needs and provides minimal or no comparison to Earth.

Criterion 2

Explanation of Environmental Challenges

Explains the environmental challenges of Mars that affect human survival, such as atmosphere and weather conditions.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides a detailed and articulate explanation of multiple environmental challenges on Mars, using specific examples and implications for human survival.

Proficient

3 Points

Explains the key environmental challenges of Mars adequately, including some examples and impacts on survival.

Developing

2 Points

Provides a basic explanation of some environmental challenges, but lacks detail and specific examples.

Beginning

1 Points

Barely explains the environmental challenges and provides limited understanding or examples.

Category 2

Design and Innovation in Sustainable Habitat Development

Evaluates the student's ability to design and innovate in developing sustainable habitats on Mars, in line with NGSS.3-5-ETS1-1.

Criterion 1

Creativity and Innovation in Habitat Design

Demonstrates creativity and innovation in designing a sustainable habitat for Mars.

Exemplary

4 Points

Shows outstanding creativity and innovation in habitat design, integrating multiple innovative features that address sustainability challenges comprehensively.

Proficient

3 Points

Designs a creative and effective habitat integrating several innovative features that address sustainability challenges.

Developing

2 Points

Design shows some creative elements and attempts to address sustainability, but lacks full integration of innovative features.

Beginning

1 Points

Limited or minimal creativity in design, with few innovative features addressing sustainability.

Criterion 2

Technical Skill in Habitat Blueprint

Displays technical skill and precision in creating a detailed blueprint of the Martian habitat.

Exemplary

4 Points

Produces a highly detailed and precise blueprint with clear labels and accurate representation of habitat features.

Proficient

3 Points

Creates a detailed and clearly labeled blueprint, accurately representing most habitat features.

Developing

2 Points

Blueprint shows some details and labeling, but lacks precision and completeness in habitat representation.

Beginning

1 Points

Incomplete or unclear blueprint with minimal detail and poor labeling of habitat features.

Category 3

Cultural Understanding and Adaptation

Measures the student's grasp of cultural adaptation needs and their ability to hypothesize potential adaptations for Martian living, aligned with C3.D2.Geo.4.3-5.

Criterion 1

Analysis of Cultural Elements for Adaptation

Ability to analyze and identify cultural elements that need adaptation for life on Mars.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly analyzes cultural elements with insightful identification of adaptations, providing detailed examples and rationale.

Proficient

3 Points

Analyzes and identifies most cultural elements needing adaptation, with examples and clear explanations.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to analyze cultural elements, but provides limited examples and rationale for adaptation.

Beginning

1 Points

Minimal analysis of cultural needs with few or no examples of necessary adaptations.

Criterion 2

Collaborative Presentation on Cultural Adaptations

Effectiveness in collaborating and presenting a well-developed presentation on cultural adaptations for Mars.

Exemplary

4 Points

Delivers an engaging and comprehensive presentation with effective collaboration; demonstrates in-depth understanding of cultural adaptations.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents a clear and well-organized presentation with good collaboration; demonstrates understanding of cultural adaptations.

Developing

2 Points

Presentation is somewhat organized but lacks depth; demonstrates partial understanding of cultural adaptations.

Beginning

1 Points

Presentation is unclear or poorly organized; lacks collaboration and understanding of cultural adaptations.

Category 4

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Focuses on student's problem-solving approach and critical thinking in tackling open-ended problems associated with Martian challenges, as per ISTE.4.d.

Criterion 1

Innovative Approach to Problem-Solving

Exhibits innovative thinking and perseverance in developing solutions to Martian challenges.

Exemplary

4 Points

Shows exceptional innovation and critical thinking in developing solutions, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates solid innovation and critical thinking with clear, practical solutions.

Developing

2 Points

Offers basic solutions with limited innovation; demonstrates some critical thinking.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to formulate solutions; demonstrates minimal innovation or critical thinking.

Criterion 2

Teamwork and Feedback Utilization

Assesses teamwork and the ability to use feedback constructively to enhance problem-solving processes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Actively collaborates with peers, effectively integrating feedback into improved solutions.

Proficient

3 Points

Works well in teams, using feedback to moderately refine solutions.

Developing

2 Points

Participates in team discussions but uses feedback sparingly to improve solutions.

Beginning

1 Points

Limited collaboration; struggles to incorporate feedback into problem-solving.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on the process of designing a Martian habitat. What were some of the most significant challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

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Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how well do you think your team utilized innovative thinking in developing solutions for Mars-related challenges?

Scale

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Question 3

Which aspects of Mars' environment did you find most interesting, and why?

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Question 4

Imagine that a part of your cultural adaptation on Mars becomes a reality. What impact do you think it would have on community life?

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Question 5

What is one key takeaway from this project regarding sustainable living and resource management that you can apply to life on Earth?

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