MARS eQUEST ⋆ Phoenix Space

MARS eQUEST

An online space science program with a hands on component.

A MISSION TO MARS

Phoenix Space Mars eQuest is a remote-learning experience in which students will learn about space and rocket science through a combination of taught lessons and hands-on experiences using our own hardware, the Phoenix Space Command Center. The lessons are woven together in a narrative where students will pick up knowledge of space, and Mars in particular, in an organic and motivated way.

Students learn through individual projects based on realistic, yet entertaining, problems faced in the operations of a space mission to another planet. Along the way they will pick up knowledge of mathematics, physics, electronics, programming, and astronomy – not to mention a thirst for more knowledge. Our course is unique because it is a microcontroller-based course using a variety of sensors and actuators to engage the students with hands-on work.

Mars eQuest is a five week long course, featuring five 2 hour sessions presented via web conference, with a hands-on element and some additional work outside of class sessions. It is designed for students aged 11-13. Students gain an age appropriate taste of a variety of space and rocket science topics, including areas such as thermodynamics, acoustics, speed, electronics, physics, encryption, and programming.

A HANDS ON CONSOLE SUPPORTS THE MISSION

Students will use the Phoenix Space Command Center for hands-on learning and to explore concepts in coding and electronics.

The Command Center is a custom-designed circuit board featuring multiple sensors and actuators that is used to complete coursework, tasks, and missions. It places a strong emphasis on science as a practical problem-solving technique. Each student gets to keep their reprogrammable Command Center, and can use it beyond the course to produce their own projects.

COURSE DETAILS

Each 2 hour lesson has the following structure:

SCIENTIFIC
CONTEXT

The topic introduction is given, and leads into the programming task.

COMPONENT INTRODUCTION

Any new components are explained and demonstrated.

PROGRAMMING

Coding and tasks are explained, built, and tested.

EXTENSION

Additional tasks are given for students who wish to do more.

The course consists of the following lessons:

THERMODYNAMICS OF SPACE

Students will first learn how to create a digital thermometer using a thermistor circuit. After this, they will use this digital thermometer to investigate a model of the physics of the cooling of a base on the icy poles of Mars where a heating unit has broken on their rover. By learning about convection, conduction and radiation they will understand how to minimize their effects, but will they be able to keep the stranded astronauts alive long enough until the heating turns back on?

COMMUNICATIONS

After a dust storm on Mars, Phoenix has decided to implement a new visual communication system between bases and rockets. Students will learn to program a series of coloured LEDs to send complex messages and patterns incredibly quickly. They will learn how to create arrays, loops and other essential elements of programming.

LIGHTS, DISTANCE, AND SERVOS

A dust storm has swamped the Phoenix Mars Station and the latest food delivery rocket is landing any moment, but communications are down! Students will learn how to use a photoresistor to measure the intensity of light and send a signal to the rocket to make sure it lands gently and safely.

EXPLORING A CAVERN

We’ve sent out a probe deep into a cavern near the Phoenix Mars Station, looking for signs of life near our research base. The only problem is that the probe has smashed against a stalactite and lost its high bandwidth antenna. Our students will have to write a code to be able to control the path of the probe through a tunnel using a simple display, a potentiometer and a lot of skill!

SOUNDING THE DEPTHS

Students will create a buzzer circuit and will attempt to measure the depth of various chambers found in the Phoenix Mars Station in our search for alien artifacts. Can they use the circuit and buzzer to produce a similar pitch as a vibrating chamber and determine the size?

The Phoenix Space Mars eQuest program is sold as a package offering to schools and corporations, for the benefit of their students and employees’ children. Sponsors purchase a package, and Phoenix Space works with them to organize and present the courses.

MARS eQUEST PACKAGE OVERVIEW


Course length	5 weeks
Instruction methods	Remote web conference-based instruction, hands on experiments
Group size	Up to 20 children
Student ages	11-13 years old
Requirements to sign up	Love space, basic understanding of algebra and geometry, basic understanding of programming (Scratch, Lego MindStorms, or similar) preferred but not essential
Homework	Yes

THE MARS eQUEST PACKAGE INCLUDES

10 hours of teaching instruction spread over 5 weekly sessions of 2 hours each

10+ hours of interactive homework

20 printed course guides

20 Phoenix Space Command Centers for hands-on instruction and experiments

20 Phoenix Space t-shirts for participants