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Congratulations! You have selected to participate in NASA’s worldwide Here
Today; Gone to Mars Design Challenge. This challenge is primarily
intended for students in grades 5-8, but teachers have been able to
adapt our challenges to other grades as well, so all are welcome. This
challenge addresses the theme of scientific fieldwork, in this case
simulating fieldwork to be used on Mars. Locations for fieldwork are
centered on Mars analogs, or areas on Earth that are similar to Mars
in some way. By studying snowfields in Lassen Volcanic National Park
in California, our scientists hope to learn more about the development
and use of technologies that will be needed to help understand and
explore Mars.They will also learn about polar ice caps and the possibility
that life that could exist there. Your students will be adapting what
they learn by shadowing NASA scientists in Lassen and designing items
needed for their mission to Mars.
ASSIGNMENT
In order to continue to receive funding for this type of program, it
is necessary for us to receive feedback from our participants. As a participant
in the Challenge, you will be asked to complete the tasks outlined in
the schedule below. Please insure that these challenge programs can continue
by helping us with some simple reporting:
| Before the Challenge |
Timing |
- Administer
Student Pre-Challenge Survey (online)
Should not take more than 10 min. per student
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Soon after registration/
before starting the challenge |
| During the Challenge |
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- Students research and design process
with Experts available to help
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September 12 |
- Submit Preliminary designs by
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October 31 |
- Experts review & give feedback on designs.
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October 31 – November
7 |
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November 21 |
- Attend the live web cast.
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Approximately December 6
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| After the Challenge |
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- Administer Student Post-Challenge Survey (as above)
- Complete Teacher Reaction Questionnaire
(about 20 min. online)
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December 6-13 |
EVALUATION FORMS
In order to accurately track and assess data and, at the same time,
to ensure student confidentiality, you will need to assign a
four-digit ID for each student. Please record your student names
and ID numbers where you can find them after the challenge to be used
in the post-challenge survey. This master list of ID numbers
should be kept in a safe place throughout the Challenge so that you can
refer to it in the event a student forgets his/her number.
Only you will know which student names are assigned to the ID numbers,
so please make sure students properly enter their 4-digit number on the
surveys and questionnaires.
NOTE: It is important that your students complete the Pre-Challenge
Survey before you begin the Challenge activities. Go
to: http://128.102.86.28/marschallenge/marschallpre.htm
Thank you for your interest in the Here Today; Gone to Mars Design Challenge.
Instructional plans will be available as classroom Pre-Challenge Surveys
are submitted.
We look forward to working with you over the next several months!
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