Challenge: Design a Martian

Launch Date: October 13, 2003

Design Challenge Introduction:
The challenge is for you to design a Martian—a life-form capable of surviving on Mars! Work with other students and research what makes a planet habitable for humans. Does Mars have the conditions necessary for human survival? What sort of creature could survive on Mars? Scientists are tackling these very same questions!

Find answers to the following key questions before you design your Martian.

1. What are the characteristics that make a planet habitable for humans?
2. Is Mars habitable for humans? Why or why not?
3. What kind of life-form might exist on Mars?

Remember, you can't construct a dome or other structure with an artificial environment for your Martian to live in. This life-form must be able to live on the planet itself.

For detailed instructions see Teacher or Student pages.

During this challenge, teachers and students are encouraged to share ideas, findings, and questions with classrooms around the world and then submit designs to our NASA experts for feedback. Throughout the activity, students can interact with the NASA AstroVenture Challenge team to ask questions and receive guidance.

The challenge will culminate with a webcast during which scientists will answer student questions and review their designs.

Special Opportunity!
Archived Webcast (Originally aired October 9, 2003)	Archived Webcast: Exploring Earth to Prepare for Mars Learn about the similarities between Earth and Mars, the fascinating region of the Rio Tinto, Spain, and testing planetary robots. More information is available. Be sure to visit the info page early as it requires some preparation! Watch the Archive
Note: Although the above webcast is not designed specifically for the Design a Martian Challenge, it is a great way for your class to get some exciting and exclusive information on the latest NASA research in searching for life on Mars! What You Need to Do:
Week 1 beginning October 13	Discuss your plans and begin research on what makes Earth habitable for humans at the Astro-Venture website.
Week 2 beginning October 20	Research and discuss whether Mars is habitable for humans and begin to design your life-form that could survive on Mars.
Wednesday October 29 10-11 AM PST 1-2 PM EST 1800 GMT	See the Archive of the Chat with NASA scientists to ask your questions about human habitability on Mars, and possible life-forms that might survive in the Martian environment. Following the chat, our experts answered more questions.
Week 4,5,6 beginning November 6	View Student preliminary designs that have been submitted and Read the archive of the a forum with other classrooms (Peer Review) that students used to improve your designs.
Thursday, November 20 8:30 AM PST 11:30AM EST 1630 GMT	Read the archive of the chat with NASA scientists regarding possible life on Mars, and about your preliminary "Martian" designs to help refine your final design. Submit your final designs!
November 26	Deadline for final designs to be submitted. View Designs that have been submitted
Wednesday December 3 10-11 AM PST 1-2 PM EST 1800 GMT	View the Archive; Read the Transcript Hear from NASA scientists about Astrobiology. See what NASA is now doing in the support of finding out if life exists on Mars and find out what they have to say about your designs.
Meet our experts:	Geoff Briggs Scientific Director of NASA's Center for Mars Exploration Read Geoff's Bio >>
	Jon Rask Experiment Support Scientist/Research Scientist, Space Station Biological Research Project Read Jon's Career Fact Sheet >> (pdf file)

More Information for Teachers

More Information for Students

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