Mission to Mars
Objectives and outcomes
S1:Work in a team to prepare a short drama
about the plight of Beagle 2
S2:Identify the likely problems that cold
have caused the Beagle 2 failure
S3:Design, build and test a parachute for a
Mars lander.
M1:Calculate the basic measurements of a
parachute suitable for use on Mars
T1: Design a model for a Mars lander
Participated in a short drama about the
Beagle 2 problems.
Indicated the most likely cause of the
Beagle 2 failure
Designed, built and tested a Mars lander.
Planned and carried out an investigation
into the best size and shape for a parachute.
Produced a spreadsheet to calculate
materials required for a Mars lander
parachute.
Designed a model for a Mars lander
Resources required
Mission to Mars Student Activities – the pages are labeled with a key (e.g. S1) which link
to the mission tasks
Mission to Mars Log Book - useful to have printed copies available for students.
Standard laboratory equipment for investigation into parachute design.
A parachute dropping simulation available at http://www.rxb.com/beagle/
Background information about the Beagle 2 mission can be found at
http://www.beagle2.com/index.htm
Activity descriptions
The activities for this mission are described in the Student Activities book, with a
reduced version in the Log Book which also acts as a record of achievement for students.
The different tasks can be attempted in almost any order.
The drama requires cooperation in a team and communication skills so provides an
excellent opportunity to develop these in a scientific context. This activity provides a
good introduction to the topic but can also act as an excellent ‘capping activity’ which
benefits from the insight the other activities generate. The dramatic presentation could be
a kind of ‘creative plenary’ pulling in knowledge gained across the unit.
There is a great deal of discussion in this unit. This encourages learning but needs to be
carefully managed to ensure students remain on task and involved.
The parachute practical is straightforward for most students although the mathematics
involved in some of the calculations may be tricky at Key Stage 3.
The simulation is an excellent way to look at how the key variable (parachute diameter)
affects the success of the mission.