Exploring Mars

STEM Challenge
Genetic Scientists at Work

Introduction: The Earth has an enormous amount of plants and animals living on it, but
none of them can survive the harsh conditions of Mars, let alone space! As more and more
humans are living on Earth, we need more space to fit everyone and Mars is the perfect spot!
However, we do not know what it is like up there, so we need to investigate the planet and
get some data.
Scientists from NASA have managed to get a probe to Mars to do some initial research, but
they need a living thing there to collect more data for them!

Brief: You and your team are Genetic Scientists handpicked by NASA to design and develop
an animal that can survive the harsh conditions of space travel and the planet Mars! Mars is a
dangerous planet, so the animal must be able to survive anything that it encounters

Generating Design: Your animal design must have features that it can use to survive the
harsh conditions of Mars. Each feature must be justified with a reason. You may select a
starting animal, including its features to get started.

Project Specifications: Your animal must be able to fit in a space craft and must be able to
survive the following conditions of Mars:
1. Extreme surface temperatures
2. Wind and sandstorms
3. Rocky ground and mountains
4. No source of food
5. No Oxygen, only Carbon Dioxide
Project Management: Pick a starting animal (check with the teacher) and consider the
conditions of Mars as you make your new animal. The features you select can be used by
other animals or can be made up (within reason). Make sure that you draw a sketch of your
animal with its new features and remember that in order for the animal to survive it must
meet the above conditions.
Hint: The features you have chosen do not have to come from other animals!!

Evaluation: What features are necessary to help the animal survive extreme temperatures?
How does the animal deal with wind and sandstorms, is it able to see?
What is the animals source of food, did it use processes that animals do not usually use?
Did your animal use any of its original features to help it survive?

Presentation: You and your group must present your animal to the Director of NASA (Your
Teacher!) and they will put your animal under a simulation of the journey to Mars and its
conditions to see if it will survive and be a suitable choice to continue the research.

Time: 1-2 lessons.