Alex and Cole: MARS ROVER Experiments

Today you are going to explore some of the problems that NASA scientists encounter whenever they have to design a machine to explore other planets. One such machine is the Mars Rover.

You are going to be working together on your own a lot today. It important that you talk to each other, discuss what you are thinking, and share your ideas (respectfully) about possible solutions to problems. At the end of class today, it will be important for us to discuss how your "team" approach worked.

Here are the assigments:

1. First, you need to go to the Futures Channel website to view the movie on the Mars Rover: cut and paste this address into another tab: http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/algebra/mars_rover/

2. Watch the movie

3. After watching the movie, discuss with each other what were some of the problems that the scientists had to find solutions to? How did having a strong foundation in mathematics help them to solve those problems?


4. Read through the handout on building your own "rover" to experiment with. Discuss with each other what the handout is asking you to do -- so you can make sure that you BOTH understand what you need to do.

5. Decide who will do what. Look at the things you need to do, and decide which teammate will handle which responsibility (for building the rover). make sure that no one person is doing all of the work, but that both of you have equally divided tasks. Also, think about each other's strengths and try to make the most of those talents. For example, if one of you is good at cutting with scissors and the other isn't, then have the person who is good at cutting do the cutting (saves time!)

6. make sure you have all the supplies you need. If you are missing something, think of how you can get the item you are missing. Be a problem solver -- remember-- you have a lot of ways to get what you need.

7. begin building your Rover. work together. follow the instructions in the handout.

8. Follow the instructions in the handout TO DO THE MATH that it is asking. Discuss with your partner your mathematical ideas, and solutions to the questions in the handouts. WRITE YOUR ANSWERS in your handout where they ask you to.


9. Check in at the end of class to let me know where you are in the process. From there we will decide next steps.

I know you can be successful working together. make sure you approach your work with the seriousness of a scientist!

good luck!