The Fifth Grade’s Mission on Mars

On January 7, Kent Place fifth-graders blasted off into an unforgettable adventure during their visit to the Buehler Challenger and Science Center — where their science lessons suddenly felt thrillingly real.

Students entered a challenger simulator where they worked in teams, taking on specific roles that mirror real-world STEM jobs — such as data, navigation, and robotics. Students put their teamwork, science, mathematics, and communication skills to the test as they worked together to complete their mission.

“Our mission took place in the year 2076,” says Gemma Smith. “We operated from two ‘stations’: Mission Control, which was located on a moon off Mars called Phobos, and a spacecraft that traveled between Phobos and Mars.”

The fifth-graders — space crew members — had to act quickly to save their stations, their research, and their lives when they discovered an imminent threat to their spacecraft and surface facilities on Mars. 

The class was split in two, with half of the students on the spacecraft and half at Mission Control. Halfway through the challenge, the rooms flipped so students could experience their roles from a different perspective. 

Gemma was a member of Communications. “I spoke over the speaker to the other station, communicating specific instructions and reading messages that were important to the mission. The most challenging part for me was when no messages were coming in, and I had to wait to deliver information to the other team.”

The young astronauts completed their mission successfully, and had a blast while doing it. Back at school, they’re reminiscing about the exciting day and reviewing everything they learned.