Design A Martian Habitat Contest
Judging is underway! Winners can expect to be notified mid-May.
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium, in conjunction with Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Science Festival, is challenging students to design a Martian base habitat for the planet's first human explorers.
Students will compete in three age categories: grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. All competitors will design and draw an original concept of a Martian base. Entries may be created by hand or by using design software programs such as CAD or Adobe Illustrator. The design must account for how the astronauts will survive on the planet's surface and what science they will do while they are there.
Entries from students in grades 5-12 must also include an essay (two pages or less) describing the operation of their bases. The essay should include information on features such as the base's life support system, power supply, living quarters and science laboratory.
PRIZES
Grand Prize winners in each age category will receive:
- $150 cash prize.
- A one-year family membership to Pacific Science Center.
- Two general admission tickets to the Seattle Science Festival Science Luminaries Series event of their choice.
- Two tickets to Pacific Science Center's Boeing or PACCAR IMAX Theaters.
- A commemorative Space Shuttle flash drive.
- One Seattle Science Festival t-shirt.
First Place runners-up in each age category will receive:
- Two general admission tickets to the Seattle Science Festival Science Luminaries Series event of their choice.
- Two tickets to Pacific Science Center's Boeing or PACCAR IMAX Theaters.
- One Seattle Science Festival t-shirt.
Second Place runners-up in each age category will receive:
- Two general admission tickets to the Seattle Science Festival Science Luminaries Series event of their choice.
- Two tickets to Pacific Science Center's Boeing or PACCAR IMAX Theaters.
- One Seattle Science Festival t-shirt.
HOW TO ENTER
Entries will be judged by a panel of scientists and Space Grant staff members. Prizes will be awarded on the basis of originality, feasibility and science/engineering accuracy.
Entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 6, 2012.
Download an entry form and mail it along with your design and essay to:
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium141 Johnson Hall
Box 351310
Seattle, WA 98195-1310
Any questions about the Design a Martian Habitat Contest can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
RESOURCES FOR DESIGNERS
Grades K-5
- Speed It Up
- Let's Investigate Mars
- Designing a Crew Exploration Vehicle
- Food for Spaceflight
- Ray Shielding
- What Are Some Challenges for a Crewed Mission to Mars?
- PlanetQuest: An Interstellar Trip Planner
- Moon Power: Energy and Power
- Mars Lithograph
- How Long Would a Round Trip to Mars Take?
Grades 5-8
- The History of Rocketry and Space Travel
- What Is the Weather Like in Space?
- Food for Thought: Eating in Space
- Phoenix Lander Sent to Mars (NASA at 50 series)
- Rover Races
- Getting Dirty on Mars
- Mission 9: Mission to Mars
- Designing Spacesuits for Mars
Grades 9-12
- Problem 3: A Perspective on Radiation Dosages
- NASA 'Image Fusion' Will Help Doctors Examine Astronauts' Hearts in Space
- Is There Water on Mars?
- Problem 4: Having a Hot Time on Mars!
Additional Resources
