STARS 1 – Grade 4 — 5 days
Students test the earthly limits of flight as they, the scientists and engineers of tomorrow, explore current and future design challenges which push the boundaries of speed, atmospheric barriers and ever increasing numbers of aircraft in the sky. The student engineers develop and utilize their scientific inquiry skills as they formulate questions, test predictions and conduct experiments related to air, motion, rocketry and heat in the attempt to design a flight vehicle of the future. Students then apply this knowledge as they design their own aircraft using Pro/Engineer software and as they engineer an ultimate rocket which they will build, launch and test. An essential part of the students’ scientific investigations and applied engineering are the math and technology concepts and tools used throughout the program, such as data collection, median, mode, range, measuring, estimating and navigation using GPS technology. 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
STARS 2 – Grade 5 — 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, friction, heat transfer and the vacuum of space. They learn about 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 (CAD) software to design a rocket and a Mars colony. They use robotics software to program and test Mars rovers. All along their 5 day journey at STARBASE, they have the opportunity to explore various STEM careers and the path they will need to take to reach their own career goals through challenge videos, career exploration website and letters of advice they will write to themselves about how they can achieve their career goals.
Summer Programs
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.
