Mars WebQuest Exploring Rover Technology

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Mars WebQuestExploring Rover Technology
Imagine NASA has called upon you to design the
next rover to explore Mars. What do rovers look
like? What are they made of? How do you control
them? What are they used for? This WebQuest will
challenge you to find answers to these questions
and more. We will begin by going back to the
first rovers used to explore our solar
system. Navigate below by clicking on the right
arrow below to advance to the next slide. You may
also jump to a particular section by clicking on
the links to the left. The following pages
include hyperlinked words -- click each link to
learn more. Enjoy your Mission!

• Warwick Middle School Technology Education
• 7th Grade Mr. Meier

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IntroductionProblem Context

• On November 15, 1970 the Russian spacecraft Luna
  17 landed on the Moon. The spacecraft had dual
  ramps by which the payload, Lunokhod 1, descended
  to the lunar surface.
• Lunokhod 1 was a lunar vehicle (rover)
  responsible for recording video and testing soil.
  Controlled from the earth by a five man crew, it
  performed tasks for eleven days.

Introduction Continued on Next Page Navigate Here
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IntroductionProblem Context

• Eight months later, Apollo 15 launched from the
  NASA Kennedy Space Center. This was the fourth
  mission to land men on the Moon and the first
  flight of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).
• The LRV was able to travel 50 km across the
  Moon's cratered terrain and carry more than its
  own weight in moon rocks, equipment, and
  passengers.

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IntroductionProblem Context

• On July 4, 1997, the Mars Pathfinder mission
  ended its seven month journey to the red planet.
  After the entry airbags deflated, the Sojourner
  Rover rolled onto the Martian soil.
• The small but capable vehicle was the first rover
  to visit another planet. It photographed and
  traversed the Martian landscape performing
  experiments and searching for signs of life.

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IntroductionProblem Context

• On January 3rd and 24th, two identical rovers
  named Spirit and Opportunity landed on the planet
  Mars. Their mission is part of NASA's long-term
  effort of robotic exploration on the red planet.
• Today both rovers are still exploring. On
  opposite sides of the planet, they perform
  geological investigations continuing the search
  for life.

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IntroductionProblem Context

• During the Fall 2009, NASA plans on sending the
  Mars Science Laboratory (rover) to the planet
  Mars. What will the missions purpose be? How
  will it be controlled?
• Future planetary rovers will need young
  technologist like you to design, build, and test
  rovers here on earth. Successful rovers will be
  sent to Mars to pave the way for future manned
  missions.

Task on Next Page Navigate Here
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TaskDesign Challenge

• NASA is calling on you to pilot the future Mars
  Science Laboratory (rover). It will be your job
  to gather information about rover technology and
  control.
• It will be necessary to accumulate knowledge
  about existing rover designs, Mars environmental
  conditions, gearing science/math, LEGOs or
  Knex, and rover pilot software. Your efforts
  will ensure the success of the mission.

Process on Next Page Navigate Here
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Process

• Perform the following steps
• Learn about the parts of a rover. Launch the
  interactive and click on all the component
  links.
• Find out how a rover automatically navigates
  hazardous terrain. Watch the Rover Navigation 101
  video.
• Discover the science behind gears. Read the
  information and complete a worksheet.

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Process

• Perform the following steps
• Navigate Mars using Maestro.
• Take a virtual space tour and learn about Mars
  characteristics.
• Find out what Mars terrain looks like.
• Design a rover using a LEGO or general CAD
  program.
• Build your design using LEGOs or Knex.

Evaluation on Next Page Navigate Here
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Evaluation

• Evaluate your rover
• Test your rover on a simulated terrain. Optional
  use LEGO software and camera if available?
• Does your rover move like those found in the
  videos here?
• Is your rover able to perform a specific task
  like those found here?
• Use this rubric to evaluate your rover design.

Conclusion on Next Page Navigate Here
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Conclusion

• Congratulations! You are now ready to pilot the
  future Mars Science Laboratory (rover). NASA is
  planning multiple missions to the planet Mars.
  Maybe youll be one of Mars future inhabitants.
  Until then keep an eye on NASA for more
  information. Optional connect your LEGO or Knex
  rover to the Internet for others to control.
  Teachers can use the following pages to plan a
  mission of your own. Enjoy -)

Teacher Pages on Next Page Navigate Here
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Teacher Pages

• Grade Level 6-8
• Academic Area Technology Education
• Length eight 42 minute classes
• Materials
• LEGO or general CAD software
• Maestro virtual Mars software
• Mars terrain model for testing rover (build using
  examples from Internet)
• The following is optional
• Red Rover II Mars site package
• Team Challenge Set
• LEGO Camera or similar computer camera
• Knex MERk robotic kit

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Teacher Pages

• Standards
• Pennsylvania Science Technology Academic
  Standards addressed
• 3.1 Unifying Themes 7A
• 3.2 Inquiry Design 7D
• 3.6 Technology Education 7C
• 3.7 Technological Devices 7D
• International Technology Education Association
  Technology Content Standards addressed
• 02 The Core Concepts of Technology BTG 6-8
• 09 Engineering Design BTG 6-8
• 12 Use and Maintain Technological Products and
  Systems BTG 6-8
• 18 Transportation Technologies BTG 6-8

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Teacher Pages

• Robolab Links
• Spaceflight Now Mars Exploration Rovers
• NOVA Welcome to Mars
• Roving Mars
• LEGO Education
• LDraw LEGO CAD
• NASA Quest
• Exploring the Planets Mars
• Perkins Observatory Rover Construction
• Exploring Mars
• Explore Mars Now
• Moon and Mars

• Links
• Red Rover, Red Rover
• Boeing Mars Exploration Rover Mission
• NASA Mars Exploration Rover Mission
• Athena Mars Exploration Rovers
• NASAs M2K4 Roaming the Red Planet
• Red Planet Rovers A New Era in Mars Exploration
• Maestro Headquarters
• Journey to Mars
• Mars Exploration Rover Kit

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