STARS 1 – Grade 4 — 5 days
Students see their future possibilities in STEM related careers as they investigate the design and function of airplanes, rockets and parachutes. Through video communication with local college students, majoring in engineering, the STARBASE students are introduced to Minnesota professionals working in the STEM field, who challenge students to understand why aircraft are designed the way they are and how they work. The daily challenges excite the STARBASE students to develop and utilize their scientific inquiry skills as they formulate questions, test hypotheses and conduct experiments related air, motion, rocketry, heat and forces of flight. Students then apply this knowledge as they design their own aircraft using ProEngineer software. An essential part of the students’ scientific investigations and applied engineering are the math concepts used throughout the program, such as median, mode, range, measuring and estimating. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to learn about and explore STEM related careers and how they can pursue those careers in their future.
• Construct, fly and conduct experiments with gliders
• Build, launch and conduct experiments with rockets
• Utilize ProDesktop engineering design software to build computer models
• Explore the effects of drag on different nose cones using a wind tunnel
• Experiment with motion, properties of air and forces of flight
• See “real world” applications of science and technology when touring various aircraft
• Tour the MN Air Guard Museum to learn about the development of aviation and technology
• Complete homework, journaling and extension activities to reinforce and transfer their learning beyond STARBASE
STARS 2 – Grade 6 — 5 days
STARS 2 –- Grade 6 — 5 days
Students develop and utilize their skills in science, mathematics, technology and engineering as they attempt to answer the question, “How can we engineer robotic and human missions to Mars?” Students investigate the planetary conditions of Mars and identify the design and engineering needs of its rover missions and human Mars exploration missions. Students conduct scientific experiments integrating math, technology and engineering to learn more about Newton’s Laws of Motion, robotics, the atmospheres of Earth and Mars, air pressure and the vacuum of space. They learn about range, units of measurement, estimating and coordinate graphing, as well as explore technology-based designs and functions. Students experience the work of real life scientists and engineers as they use Pro/Engineer engineering design software and other robotics software to build, program and test Mars rovers. Students put their scientific and mathematical skills into practice using technology and experiences with “real world” applications through the following activities:
• Experiment with indoor rockets to learn Newton’s laws of motion
• Explore the differences between the atmospheres of Earth and Mars and the effects they have on objects moving through each atmosphere
• Map the surface of Mars using coordinate graphing and Microsoft Excel
• Utilize Pro/Engineer software to build and engineer computer models
• Participate in a Mars rover programming challenge using robotics software
• Investigate with rovers and the sensors that each are equipped with
• Homework, journaling and extension lessons to strengthen and expand learning
• Use temperature probes and computer technology to test how heat is conducted through various materials
• Test the effects of the vacuum of space on materials in a vacuum pump
Summer Programs
(for first time participants only)
SEND YOUR CHILD TO MARS THIS SUMMER! Your child can help unlock the secrets of our next leap into space — Mars! Let STARBASE Minnesota take your child out of this world this summer. If your child is entering grades 4, 5, or 6 in the fall of 2010, we want your child to join us on a trip like no other, destination Mars! In the year 2035, one of these young people will set foot on the surface of the Red Planet. We want to begin that journey with your child this summer as we map the surface of Mars, design rockets and rovers needed for exploration and begin to plan and design a future city on Mars. We are looking for girls and boys to be a part of our Next Generation of space explorers, who will work in teams, creatively solve problems, conduct experiments, design on computers and who enjoy discovering talents and interest in science, math, technology and engineering which maybe, they never knew they had. Join us this summer. See Summer Programs for more information.
