Design a Mars Colony — mission map
Design a colony where 20 people could live safely on Mars for one year.
Offline learning
93% (357 min)
Outdoor time
20 min
Missions
12 (8 required)
Up next
What does Mars throw at us?
List the biggest challenges: thin air, cold, radiation, no liquid water.
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Planet 1 · Build something
What does Mars throw at us?
List the biggest challenges: thin air, cold, radiation, no liquid water.
30 min Adult nearby Planet 2 · Build something
Survival list
Work out the five things your colonists cannot live without.
25 min Adult nearbyLockedPlanet 3 · Build something
Zone the colony
Decide which modules you need and how they connect.
30 min Adult nearbyLockedPlanet 4 · Build something
Do the numbers
Estimate water and food needed for 20 people for a year.
35 min Adult nearbyLockedPlanet 5 · Build something
Build the model
Make a scale model or detailed labelled drawing of your colony.
70 min Adult nearbyLockedPlanet 6 · Conduct an experiment
Stress test
Ask: what happens in a dust storm, or if the greenhouse fails?
30 min Adult nearbyLockedPlanet 7 · Design something
Version 2
Change two things in your design to fix the weaknesses you found.
30 minLocked OptionalPlanet 8 · Build something
Mission briefing
Pitch your colony as if presenting to a space agency.
25 min Adult nearbyLockedPlanet 9 · Record a presentation
Mission log
Record what surprised you most about living on Mars.
15 minLocked OptionalPlanet 10 · Explore outdoors
Take it outside
Go outside for at least 15 minutes and find one real thing that connects to your project. Sketch it or photograph it.
20 min OutdoorsLocked OptionalPlanet 11 · Teach another person
Teach someone what you know
Pick one big idea and teach it to someone at home. No notes allowed!
15 minLocked OptionalPlanet 12 · Present a final creation 🏁
Final Challenge: A labelled Mars colony model plus a mission briefing.
This is the big one. Finish a labelled mars colony model plus a mission briefing. and show it to your family.
60 minLocked