Primary (Grades 3-5) and middle school (Grades 6-8) students interested in science
and engineering will participate in the design and construction of a model of a
Mars Rover to carry out a specific science mission on the surface of Mars. The
model will be mostly a mock-up, constructed at a minimal cost (estimated cost
of less than $10-$25) of mostly found objects and simple art supplies. If desired,
teachers may supply students with a low cost ($10) solar powered car kit to
serve as the chassis, or a low cost ($25) RC kit. RC, Solar powered, and free-form
(unpowered) models will participate separately. The students will build the models
as part of a 6-week Fall semester classroom-learning or homework project on
Mars. The students will be given design criteria for a rover, and be required
to do basic research on Mars that will determine the operational objectives
and structural features of their rover. This module may be used as part of a
class studying general science, earth science, solar system astronomy or robotics
or as a multi-disciplinary unit for a gifted and talented program. Entries will
be limited to the first 50 schools to enter. Schools are encouraged to have
entire grades participate. Participation in the finals on January 30 may be
limited to the best 3 teams of 4 students from each school if ~40-50 schools enter.
New Mars Rover Announcements:
Mars Rover Celebration has 18 schools entered with 25 different classes represented. Since we have space for 25 (only 7 more!) schools or youth groups, we have decided to hold entries open until 12/202009. Get those entries in soon. It looks like we will be full this year!
The 2009-2010 Mars Rover Teacher Training Workshop will be held Sept 26th from 9-12 in Room 232 Phillip G Hoffman Hall on the UH Main campus. Register on line
here. 
