NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Charting Your Journey to Mars!

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Students will study the effects of radiation on human space travelers and analyze different materials that simulate space radiation shielding for Orion. After participating in activities guided by their teachers, students will recommend materials that best block harmful radiation.

All students that participate in this challenge can join other participants from around the world to celebrate the Exploration Flight Test-1 of Orion by having their names flown on board as honorary crew members. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is March 14, 2014.

Get started. Follow the steps on this page to guide 5-8 students through activities to complete the challenge.

Please note that there are two registrations.

1. Register your school before you begin the challenge.
2. Register your students after completing the activities and download certificates.

Register to Participate in Exploration Design Challenge

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Register schools before beginning the NASA Exploration Design Challenge. Registration is free and easy.

1. Click on the registration link. You will be taken to a National Institute of Aerospace website to complete the registration.

2. Fill in the requested information. Your school will be added to the NASA EDC Participation Map.

Exit NASA to Register
›  Register School  →

Step 1: Introduce the Design Challenge

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A. Use the following Student Scenario to introduce students to the NASA Exploration Design Challenge for grades 5-8.

When astronauts are traveling through space, the space vehicle provides protection from the space debris, which usually can be seen, and space radiation, which cannot be seen.

Space debris includes both natural (meteoroid) and artificial (man-made) particles. Space radiation comes from the sun and sources outside the solar system. Space radiation is difficult to block and can damage human tissue. Spacecraft for long space exploration missions, traveling beyond low Earth orbit, must be built with materials that give the space explorer more protection from space radiation than what is currently provided.

NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. Orion will carry the crew to space and protect them during space travel beyond low Earth orbit.

B. Encourage students to ask questions about Orion and the challenges explorers will face traveling to Mars by viewing one or more of NASA's "Ask the Experts" videos found on the NASA Exploration Design Challenge website.

Step 2: Guide Student Scientists

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A. Complete Parts 1 and 2 of the Ray Shielding Activity. Part 1: Steps 1-10 and Part 2: Steps 1-9 in the Instructional Procedure will help guide student scientists through an experimental analysis of different materials and their ability to block simulated space radiation.

B. Background information, procedures and a data collection charts are included in the Ray Shielding Student Section.

Step 3: Guide Student Engineers

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A. Review what students know about Orion and what they learned about the materials they tested to block simulated space radiation. Challenge the students to use what they learned to design a solution for the following problem:
Design and build a prototype radiation shield that effectively blocks simulated space radiation using materials that could safely fly in the Orion crew module.

B. Use either the Elementary School Design Packet for Grades K-5 or Middle School and High School Design Packet for Grades 6-12 to guide student engineers through the design process.
›  Elementary School Design Packet  [896KB PDF file]
›  Middle School and High School Design Packet  [620KB PDF file]

C. For more information about safe materials, students may use the Orion Criteria and Constraints  [691KB PDF file] document.

D. Ultra Violet, or UV, beads that change color when exposed to natural or artificial UV light may be used as sensors to test student designs.

Step 4: Register Students for the Virtual Flight Crew by March 14, 2014

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A. Once students have completed Steps 1, 2 and 3, please register them so they may join other students around the world as honorary, virtual crew members on the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1). You will be taken to an NIA website to complete the registration.

By completing the registration, students' names are added to a list of all students participating in the NASA Exploration Design Challenge. The list of names will fly on the inaugural Orion EFT-1 as honorary, virtual crew members. The virtual crew will be the only crew flying on EFT-1. Students must be registered by March 14, 2014, to join the virtual crew.

B. After completing registration:

• Download a student certificate that may be duplicated and distributed.
• Download a certificate recognizing your work as an educator guiding students within the NASA Exploration Design Challenge.

Exit NASA to Register
›  Register Students  →

Step 5: Encourage Student Experts

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A. Extend student interest and engagement by returning to the NASA Exploration Design Challenge website to find new video segments, resource links, and press releases.

B. Additional activities in the Resources section may be completed to strengthen student understanding about radiation and the effects of radiation on humans. These activities include inquiry explorations, hands-on activities and interactive simulations.

Safety in the Educational Classroom and Laboratory

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Safety is an important goal for all curricular areas of education. Safety issues are a special concern for STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities and courses. Many national and state academic standards address the need for schools and subject areas to promote student development of knowledge and abilities in a safe learning environment.

It is the responsibility of the school's administration for providing a learning environment that is safe, up-to-date and supportive of learning. Additionally, teachers are responsible for their students' welfare in the classroom and laboratory.

Teachers must be knowledgeable and diligent in providing a safe learning environment. Students should receive safety instructions relevant to the topics being taught. Assessments must accompany the lessons on safety, and records must be kept on student results. The teacher must properly supervise students while they are working. The teacher must inspect and maintain equipment and tools to ensure they are in proper working condition. Parents should be informed about the subject in which their child is enrolled and should be educated about the safety plan that is being used. The teacher should develop a safety checklist to assure safe conditions exist and procedures are being followed in the classroom and laboratory.

Safety Rules:
Below are examples of safety rules that may be used. Teachers should develop their own safety rules to fit the needs of their classroom.

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible and safe manner at all times.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a procedure or how to use a tool, ask your teacher before proceeding.
3. Keep your work area clean at all times.
4. Use proper safety protection, i.e., gloves, goggles, proper clothing.
5. Notify your teacher in an emergency.

Do you have questions about the Exploration Design Challenge?
Email nasaedc@nianet.org