Martian Greenhouse 3.0
A Collaborative Learning Adventure, Grades 7-12
Fall 2022
The Martian Greenhouse Project 3.0 design team, in collaboration with AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), is seeking systems designed to produce food for human habitation on Mars. These prototype systems will need to be self-sufficient and fit within a relatively small space. The greenhouse will provide habitat for the growth of a variety or varieties of edible plants.
Facilitating teachers, along with their students, will be introduced to industry mentors in an experiential learning adventure. Each team will have at least one industry (SME) mentor. Our design team will support with resources for project management and facilitation strategies. Each team will have the freedom to design and innovate according to their passion and perseverance.
Goal:
Students will be introduced to real engineers and scientists in order to think critically in the framework of aerospace exploration and development of skills such as problem solving, project management, public speaking, research skills, engineering practices, teamwork, planning, self-sufficiency, and goal setting.
Deliverables:
Students research the subject, meet with mentors, maintain a collaborative portfolio of findings or results, and create a final product. The final product may be a video, presentation, website, or anything that resonates with or helps to solve the guiding question: "How do we grow plants on Mars?" You may use the RFP (Request for Proposal) seen below on this webpage, or design your own RFP with your mentor.
Schedule for Excellence:
Synchronous Meetups – Each school is expected to attend bi-weekly status report meetings covering research, technical questions, challenges, and project management updates. These meetings are usually in the evening. TBA according to team availability.
Learning Approach
Student Driven / Teacher Facilitated / Aerospace Industry Inspired and Informed
Students will do the work via experiential, hands-on, and applied learning.
Facilitating Teachers facilitate a relationship between their students and subject matter experts. Teachers are not expected to be subject matter experts. Teachers will communicate in order to build a digital community and share, catalog, and record successes and ideas.
Mentors inspire and inform by simply listening to students and offering advice. Mentors will be provided with resources for "Best Practices" and encouraged to communicate with other mentors to give our teams a global network of support. Mentors do not teach, create content and curriculum, or handle classroom management.
Collaboration Between Teams
The combined network of our mentors and teams will ensure that all parties are supported. Teams are highly encouraged to share solutions and help other teams.
Final Presentations: November 2022
Meet the Marvelous Martian Mentors
Design Team
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Eric Wilson - · Project Management Mentor, CEO CPI Group (Colorado School of Mines, PhD Student, Space Resources Program)
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Jim Christensen - Executive Director of ShareSpace Education, the education arm of the Aldrin Family Foundation
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Dr. Emily Matula - Extravehicular Activity (EVA, spacewalks) Flight Controller, NASA Johnson Space Center
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Phnam Bagley - Industrial Design, Space Architect
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Tom Kirk - Lead for Facilitating Teachers
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Anne Tweed - Director of STEM Learning Solutions, LLC in Denver
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Consuelo Godfrey - PathLight Belize
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Craig Merrett - AIAA, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University
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Gregg Cannady - · Project Coordinator / Communication
Mentors
Help Wanted: Mentors - Learn More
NEW Fall 2022: Legacy Mentors
Students who participated in Martian Greenhouse 2.0 will be legacy mentors for Martian Greenhouse 3.0 Teams.
"I feel empowered as a young female leader; showing that every female can do anything with the right mindset and do it because they love it. The most important lesson from this journey is turning problems into solutions; I found ways to grow food on Mars and to construct a carbon-free electric grid which was once thought impossible but now I know that we can make the impossible possible. These once-in-a-lifetime opportunities have taught me valuable skills like time management, communication and how to express my thoughts with others, critical thinking and it allowed me to express my creativity and collaborate with others which improved my teamwork and listening skills."
Partners
