Adapted from Jean Settle's "Edible Rockets". In 1996 two spacecraft, Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Pathfinder, were
launched to Mars. These spacecraft are kicking off a decade long exploration of the Red Planet. Students can become
familiar with the missions and the type of equipment on board each spacecraft through this activity.
- Students will be able to identify two Mars spacecraft:
a) Mars Global Surveyor
b) Mars Pathfinder and the rover, Sojourner
- Allow students to design their spacecraft independently. This activity is designed to facilitate creative thinking. There are no right or wrong answers.
- Students will use creative thinking and problem solving skills to design either one or both of the above spacecraft using a supply of different foods.
To begin the lesson, introduce students to the different Mars spacecraft. After finishing discussion, pass out the
materials. The students need to decide which spacecraft they will construct with the materials provided. To minimize
messiness students should use the waxed paper surface. Frosting can be distributed by placing a spoonful on each
students' sheet of wax paper. Frosting can be used to "glue" pieces together.
- Encourage students to use given materials to design all spacecraft and the rover.
- Allow students to design their spacecraft independently. This activity is designed to facilitate creative thinking. There are no right or wrong answers.
- To reduce cost of supplies try the following:
- Assign each student to bring a different food item
- Ask your PTO or Home School Association to provide funding for the activity.
- Use cooperative learning and have one group of 3-4 students design all spacecraft with one set of materials.
Students display and discuss their models. After completion, have students discuss strategies they used to design their
spacecraft. This will allow them to share their problem-solving strategies. Ask students how this activity helped them
learn more about the missions to Mars.
