January 2021 through April 2021, the Dover Public Library embarked on an epic quest in partnership with Dover Middle School’s Study Plus after school program. This project was called Make it NASA: What Will it Take to Live on Mars? and was funded by a STEM collaboration with the NASA Glenn Research Center Office of STEM Engagement.
This series was open to students participating in Dover Middle School’s Study Plus program. Study Plus is designed to provide students with an hour of homework help and an hour of another enrichment activity each day after school. One activity session per week the spring of 2021 was reserved for the Make it NASA: What Will it Take to Live on Mars? project. Due to the pandemic, sessions were held both virtually and in person as needed to adhere to state and local guidelines.
Using elements of the Dover Public Library’s Mobile STEAM Lab, plus additional materials provided by the NASA Glenn Research Center, this making activity challenged students to design something that would make living on Mars possible.
First, Students learned the basics about Mars and what some challenges of exploring and living on Mars might be. Then, students chose one of these challenges to tackle with their own design. Some students worked in groups, while others worked individually. All projects went through several iterations as the students worked through the design process. First, there was a sketch. Then, there was the initial build made of crafting materials. Next, students were able to use 3D printed pieces and 3D printing pens to bring their creations to life.
Along the way, students also got the opportunity to take a break from engineering to design their own mission patch buttons, watch the Perseverance landing on Mars, and learn about careers in STEM fields from a NASA engineer!
Students created everything from a water vacuum to use the ice on Mars to a greenhouse to an emergency break-apart rocket! See more of their creations in the video below or check out the album on Facebook to see the whole project.
For more information, please contact Teen/Outreach Services Manager Liz Strauss at 330-343-6123 or visit Make it NASA online.