PROGRAM MODULES

Grades K-12  (Duration Depends on Module Activities)    

Ever wanted to take your students on an exciting journey to Mars from the comfort of the classroom or out-of-school learning environment? Welcome to the Mars4Me Explorer Mission! In these individually tailored units, students learn about Mars, design a mission to explore the planet, build and test model spacecraft and components, and engage in scientific exploration.  This module will introduce students to:      

• Planetary Geology Unit –  Introduces students to the geology of rocky bodies in the solar system as well as known exoplanets.  
• Robotics Unit –  Students will design their robot or drone to meet the requirements of a given environment; adapt their designs to changes in or new information about the environment; and compare the process to the one NASA engineers use to design spacecraft for other planets, like Mars.  
• Coding/Programming Unit –  Using common computing languages, students will program several features of entry, descent, and landing, such as determining your spacecraft's proximity from the surface once it arrives at Mars.  
• Astrobiology & Planetary Protection Unit  –  Students will use research to develop an operational definition of life and then use the fundamental criteria for life to examine simulated extraterrestrial soil and rock samples for signs of life.  
• Rocketry and Orbital Trajectories Unit -  Students will 1) build a rocket, 2) learn how a rocket flies and operates, 3) launch a rocket, and 4) collect data about the launch to reinforce our knowledge of how rockets work.  

Grades K-12  (Duration Depends on Module Activities)    

 This unit is designed to immerse students in the world of deep space exploration. Students step into the roles of scientists, engineers, and mission planners. Their challenge: to imagine, design, and test sustainable solutions for life beyond Earth. The unit builds on hands-on activities, digital design tools (TinkerCAD), and team-based problem solving. Students won’t just learn facts about space—they’ll apply concepts in design, testing, science, math, and engineering to solve real-world problems NASA engineers face today.   

This module will introduce students to:       

• Set Your Mission Strategy: Choose your destination, and lay down the ground rules for the ultimate space voyage.
• Know Your Space Environment: Study the extreme conditions of outer space so you don't get caught off guard by solar flares or freezing dark side temperatures.
• Design Your Habitat: Design epic cosmic bedrooms, sci-fi labs, and the high-tech machinery needed to keep everyone breathing and thriving.
• Survive and Thrive: Turn your base into full colony by mastering the art of recycling and zero waste.

Life in space produces profound changes in biology. All organisms on Earth have adapted to perform under conditions of gravity, atmosphere, and cycles of light and darkness that have not changed in millions of years, conditions which are altered aboard spacecraft like the ISS.  In order for humans to spend long durations in space to reach distant planets or simply conduct exciting research, we must try to solve the complex problem of living in space. 

This module will introduce students to:       

• Discovering how biological systems respond, acclimate and adapt to the space environment 
• Understanding the purpose of the research and experiments being conducted on the ISS  
• Using bioinformatics databases to identify candidate genes involved in microgravity response.  
• Engineering a 3D-printed “payload” for microgravity experiments  Utilize image analysis software to analyze data 

 Launch into the cosmos with our dynamic, multi-sensory astronomy curriculum! This isn’t just a class; it's a stellar adventure that moves from foundations to fascinating deep-space exploration. We start with foundational concepts, then blast off into a full immersive, real-time celestial simulations and digital cosmos travel. Finally, it's students will master astronomy through the lens of a telescope to experience space like never before! Spark your curiosity and explore the final frontier. 

This module will introduce students to:       

• Astronomy Core: Blast off into the foundations of space science, exploring everything from the birth of stars to the mysteries of deep-space galaxies.
• Star Mapping Masterclass: Navigate the night sky like a pro by tracking constellations, reading celestial coordinates, and mapping the cosmos.
• Solar System Expedition: Take a deep-dive tour of our cosmic neighborhood to discover the secrets of the planets, moons, and asteroids orbiting our sun.
• Telescope Training: Get hands-on, eyes-on-the-sky experience using advanced optics to capture stunning lunar details and target distant nebulae.
• Planetarium Immersions: Step inside a digital dome for breathtaking, 360-degree simulations that bring the infinite wonders of the universe right to your eyes.