Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Classroom Materials for schools
Mars Rover Challenge
Links to resources
The resources below are suggested activities your class could complete before or after this
workshop. Please note these are recommended activities; it is not compulsory that students
complete them.
Some of the resources require access to ICT. The University of Manchester cannot be held
responsible for the content of external sites.
1. NASA’s Curiosity rover mission page
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/
NASA’s official mission page containing up-to-date information, a mission timeline, pictures
and videos.
2. BBC News: Information on the Curiosity rover
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20094052
A great section-by-section tour of the Curiosity rover and its scientific instruments and
objectives.
3. Animation of the Curiosity rover landing on Mars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4boyXQuUIw
On 6th August 2012, NASA’s Curiosity rover landed on the surface of Mars. This video is an
animation of the descent onto the surface, which utilises a parachute to slow the rover.
4. Investigating parachutes
http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_desi
gn_a_parachute/design_a_parachute.xml
This lesson plan outlines an investigation into designing a parachute. Students could create
different parachutes, and then experiment to see which is the best. In the Mars Rover
Challenge workshop, they could then re-create their best design, for the greatest chance of
success [in the workshop pupils get only one attempt at landing their cargo]. NB: This may
not be suitable for high ability groups, because of the similarity to the activity in the
workshop.
www.jodrellbank.net
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Classroom Materials for schools
5. List of Mars Missions
http://www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/space-missions/missions-to-mars.html
This website contains a list of current, future and past missions to Mars. This information
could form the basis for students for a presentation, poster or article on the exploration of
the Red Planet.
6. National STEM Centre: Classroom Space
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/collection/1817/classroom-space
A series of activities for pupils, developed by the University of Leicester. Includes four
activities about Mars: measuring the temperature, searching for water, searching for life and
volcanoes (NB: originally designed for KS3 & KS4 pupils).
7. National STEM Centre: Satellites, Launchers and Landers
http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/collection/315/satellites-launchers-andlanders
A series of activities for pupils, developed by the European Space Agency. Includes activities,
information and videos about various rockets, satellites and robot explorers, past and
present.
Feedback
If you discover any broken links, or if you have any questions, comments, suggestions or feedback
regarding these materials, please get in touch with the education team.
www.jodrellbank.net