MARS SURVIVAL BASE Research, Design & Problem-Solving Investigation Scenario | Years 3–8

Could your students design a base that keeps humans alive on Mars?

Put your students in the role of space engineers, researchers and problem solvers as they tackle an authentic challenge: designing a sustainable survival base for future missions to Mars.

Mars Survival Base is an open-ended STEM investigation and engineering design challenge that takes students beyond simply researching facts. Students investigate real-world examples, consider evidence, make decisions, solve problems and use what they discover to develop their own ideas.

And there is no single correct design.

Different students may make different decisions, face different trade-offs and develop completely different solutions — making this resource ideal for discussion, collaboration and deeper thinking.

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT?

This isn't a traditional Mars research project where students simply find information and write a report.

Instead, students are presented with a real-world problem to solve and challenged to think about what it would actually take to establish a long-term human presence on another planet.

Along the way, students are encouraged to:

• Investigate real-world examples
• Research and analyse information
• Evaluate possible solutions
• Make evidence-based decisions
• Consider constraints and trade-offs
• Design and communicate their ideas
• Respond when new information changes the situation
• Reflect on and improve their thinking

The resource deliberately places thinking before designing — students are expected to use evidence from their investigation to influence their decisions.

A GENUINE THINKING CHALLENGE

Students must grapple with questions that don't have simple answers:

What does a human settlement on Mars actually need?

Which solutions are most practical?

What happens when resources are limited?

What should happen when a carefully designed system suddenly stops working?

The emphasis is on reasoning, evidence and decision-making, rather than producing a perfect-looking final product.

RESEARCH → ANALYSE → DESIGN → BUILD → REFLECT

The Investigation Files series follows a distinctive inquiry and design process.

Students move from investigation and research into analysis and decision-making before developing and testing their own ideas. Optional hands-on prototyping allows students to take their designs further using materials or digital tools available in the classroom.

The result is a learning experience that can connect STEAM, science, engineering, research, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity in one engaging challenge.

PERFECT FOR

Mars Survival Base works particularly well for:

• STEM and STEAM lessons
• Engineering design challenges
• Project-Based Learning
• Inquiry-based learning
• Space and astronomy units
• Research projects
• Critical and creative thinking
• Problem-solving
• Extension and enrichment
• Gifted and high-potential learners
• Fast finishers
• Individual, pair or small-group work

TEACHER-FRIENDLY

The investigation is designed to be flexible rather than locking you into one rigid lesson format.

Use it across several lessons, as a larger STEM/PBL project, as an enrichment investigation, or select elements to fit your existing unit.

Teacher support includes implementation guidance, suggested sequencing, assessment support and curriculum connections.

WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE

A complete 32-page Investigation File containing student investigation materials, research and design activities, extension opportunities, reflection, teacher support and assessment resources.

The resource is available for print or digital use and is designed to give students plenty of space to communicate their thinking in different ways.

ASSESS THINKING — NOT JUST THE FINAL PRODUCT

Assessment focuses on the thinking behind the solution.

Students are encouraged to gather evidence, compare ideas, justify decisions, apply research, explain trade-offs and reflect on their learning. The included teacher rubric focuses on investigation, reasoning, evidence-based decision-making, design, communication and reflection.

PART OF THE MindStretch INVESTIGATION FILES SERIES

MindStretch Investigation Files are designed for students who are ready to move beyond “find the answer” tasks.

Each investigation presents an authentic problem and asks students to investigate, analyse, design, build, explain and reflect.

Students don't all need to reach the same answer.

They need to be able to think, explain and support their decisions.

If your students love space, STEM, engineering challenges and big problems with no obvious answer, they're going to love this investigation.

You Might Also Like

⭐ Emergency Island City – Design a disaster-resilient city that can survive natural hazards.

⭐ Saving Coral Reef Bay – Develop a conservation plan that protects coral reefs, wildlife and coastal communities.

The MindStretch Investigation Files place students in the role of real investigators tackling authentic problems from today's world.

Students learn to think like engineers, scientists and designers by researching real evidence, making informed decisions and creating innovative solutions—because there is no single correct solution.

Years 3–8 | STEM | Engineering | PBL | Inquiry | Critical Thinking | Problem Solving | Space & Astronomy