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OER Project Exchange… We’re going to Mars with Megan McGroarty and the Arizona State University Mars 2020 Mastcam-Z Team // April 12 - 14, 2021

Kathy Hays

Human beings are fascinated by what’s beyond our own planet, it always seems to pique our interests. The recent landing of the Mars rover, Perseverance has captivated our attention as we see and hear the incredible images and sounds coming from the planet. This event connects to so many OER Project course themes.  However, as a history teacher you may not be comfortable answering questions about space exploration. Never fear, we’ve brought in someone who can help with our April Exchange!  

The OER Project is honored to have and the Arizona State University Mars 2020 Mastcam-Z Team joining us April 12 – 14 to answer our questions on what’s happening with the Perseverance. This team designed one of the camera systems that’s sending all those amazing pictures back from Mars. Megan is a docent for the School of Earth and Space Exploration, providing tours and answering questions from community members about the Mars rover. She studies astrobiology and was attracted to this field because it incorporates so many fields of study, helping to bring everything together as we learn to understand the greater Universe.

We’ll start posting questions today, and the conversation will go “live” on April 12, but you can start posting your questions right now. We’ve got a bonus! We’re inviting you to have your students pose questions to Megan and Arizona State University Mars 2020 Mastcam-Z Team joining team. So start gathering those questions and post in the community. Let’s learn about the exploration of Mars together!

The ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration has provided resources that may be helpful to help students learn more about space exploration.

Parents

  • The helicopter seems to be very popular in my social media feeds.  One thing that many people have been talking about is how much of a game changer it is to have the extra device for gathering information.  Can you expand on what it's role is in the mission and what new techniques were needed to ensure such a mobile device would be operational on another planet. 

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  • The helicopter seems to be very popular in my social media feeds.  One thing that many people have been talking about is how much of a game changer it is to have the extra device for gathering information.  Can you expand on what it's role is in the mission and what new techniques were needed to ensure such a mobile device would be operational on another planet. 

Children
  • in reply to Brian Moore

    Ingenuity is the first powered flight to be tested on a different world, which is a huge milestone in itself and will tell us a lot about flight on Mars for future missions. Ingenuity was stored on the Perseverance and successfully detached from the rover to enter a 30-day test period. For its first flight, the helicopter will take off and hover above the ground for 20 to 30 seconds to land again. As of right now, this first flight is scheduled to happen no earlier than April 14th. With time, Ingenuity will be pushed to greater altitudes and distances, and eventually, the rover will leave Ingenuity behind to continue its mission. 

  • in reply to Megan McGroarty

    I didn't realize Ingenuity could operate for extended time away from the rover.  I thought it would need to use the rover as a "home base."  It is amazing that you were able to send two complex machines in one mission which will continue to provide information for years to come.  I wonder how it will impact future space travel and how we will be able to send probes ahead of astronauts to learn more about the environments.