STEM

Activity Details

Time needed:  30 minutes plus 5 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to clean up

Materials needed:

• Computer with internet access
• Art supplies and found objects to build with (objects can include paper towel tubes, scraps of paper, clean plastic tubs and lids, chipboard from cereal or snack boxes, egg cartons, straws, wooden skewers, string, pencils, etc.)
• Scissors
• Glue or masking tape
• Observation notebook
• Pen or pencil

Setup:  We live on planet Earth, an island of life in the Universe, but is there life beyond Earth? On Mars? Under the icy surfaces of Jupiter’s moon Europa or Saturn’s moon Enceladus? Or on exoplanets orbiting distant stars? Today, using telescopes and spacecraft, scientists are seeking evidence of life elsewhere.

Activity: Scientists and engineers who work on NASA space science projects are currently planning habitats for the Moon and Mars, so that in the near future, people can explore these worlds in person. The Moon and Mars are rocky like Earth, but otherwise they are very different. What do you think it will take to live there?

Make a list of essentials for life as you gather information about Mars and the Moon and explore NASA’s Mars Trek or Mars Community Builder AR (via the App Store or Google Play!)

Share your creation with your family and friends!

Troop Leaders:  The instructions for all badge steps are available free of charge in your  Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit.

Girl Scouts at Home activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming and optimized for use at home during a period of social distancing.

Adapted from Step 1 of the Ambassador Space Science Master badge. Purchase the official Badge Booklet to complete all requirements and earn the badge .