Introduction
Imagine it is the year 2050, and you have been selected by NASA to design the first permanent human settlement on Mars. Earth's resources are strained, and the future of human life depends on your team's ability to create a self-sustaining habitat in the harsh Martian environment. Will your mission succeed, or will the red planet claim another attempt?
Task
Working in teams of four, your group will create a comprehensive proposal for "Habitat Alpha" on Mars. Your team must deliver:
1. A digital diagram of the habitat layout (power, water, and food systems).
2. A 3-day life support contingency plan.
3. A 5-minute multimedia presentation explaining your habitat design to the NASA board.
Process
Follow these step-by-step instructions to complete your research and design:
1. Assign Roles: Choose one role per team member: Life Support Engineer, Botanist/Food Systems Lead, Energy Specialist, or Mission Commander.
2. Research: Use externally hosted video resources (e.g., YouTube videos on Martian geology) to gather data on environmental conditions.
3. Draft the Plan: Combine individual findings into a unified architectural schematic using standard web tools.
4. Assemble the Presentation: Embed your finished diagram using an externally hosted image URL (Insert image via URL).
Evaluation
1.
Category
Scientific Accuracy
Beginning (1 Pt) - Relies on unrealistic technology.
Developing (2 Pts) - Minor scientific errors in oxygen/water planning.
Exemplary (3 Pts) - Fully realistic and supported by Mars data.
2.
Category
Team Collaboration
Beginning (1 Pt) - Roles were unbalanced or unfulfilled.
Developing (2 Pts) - Roles were assigned but poorly integrated.
Exemplary (3 Pts) - All 4 specialized roles contributed equally.
3.
Category
Presentation Quality
Beginning (1 Pt) - Incomplete diagram or missing media.
Developing (2 Pts) - Clear presentation with standard visuals.
Exemplary (3 Pts) - Engaging presentation with embedded diagrams and video links.
Conclusion
Congratulations, Explorers! You have successfully designed a habitat capable of keeping humans alive on Mars. Through this project, you explored complex engineering challenges, resource management, and team collaboration. Reflect on this question: What was the hardest resource to manage, and how would your design adapt if your population doubled?
Credits
* NASA Mars Exploration Program: Background data and surface environmental stats.
* YouTube / NASA TV: Embedded video clips on life support systems.
*Imgur: Hosted images and diagram assets.
Teacher Page
*Target Grade Level: 7th – 9th Grade (Science / STEM).
*Learning Standards: NGSS MS-ESS3-3 (Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing human impact).
*Implementation Tip: Remind students to store all image assets on external platforms like Imgur or YouTube, as CreateWebquest.com does not host direct media uploads. Always remind students to click Save at the bottom of the editor page to prevent lost work!