Cities in Space: The Podcast

Cities in Space Podcast
Click image to hear the trailer!

Cities in Space: The Podcast

Space wants you! Where do you want to go? Join us on the Cities in Space Podcast as we meet with rocket scientists, space agriculturalists and architects, policymakers, artists, filmmakers and more! Let us take you on a journey of discovery where you can explore the many avenues of career in the space industry and shoot towards the stars! All podcasts episodes come with Essential Questions for teachers and students, as well as projects and assignments related to our featured guest and topic.

Let’s talk about Mars!

Tune in Now to listen to the third episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 3: Humans to Mars: The Next Frontier with guest Dr. Pascal Lee.

Planetary Scientist and leading Mars expert Dr. Pascal Lee discusses his expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctica, his studies of Martian analogs on Earth, and the challenges we will face in exploring Mars and beyond.

Geared for classroom success, all episodes are approximately 30 to 40 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects (see below).

Essential questions:

  • How is the surface and atmosphere on Mars different from living on Earth?
  • What are the challenges to living on Mars? (For example: atmosphere, gravity, temperature, water, etc.)
  • In what ways can humans prepare for this change in the environment?

Classroom project:

First, look at Google Mars.

Choose a location you think would be most habitable for humans to settle on the planet.

Things to consider:

  • What machinery would you need on Mars?
  • How would your habitat be protected from dust and radiation on Mars?
  • How would you grow food and acquire water on Mars?
  • How would you travel safely to explore and do research on Mars? How can you maintain a psychologically healthy community?
  • What would you need in your lab (medical included) on Mars?

Next, Look at Google Earth.

Choose a location to compare to your Mars locations. (Think New Mexico, Arizona in the United States, desert or tundra regions worldwide.) Compare and contrast the environments.

Discuss the challenges and how humans could protect themselves in situations like radiation, the cold, and poisonous dust!

Let’s discuss the A in STE(A)M – and why everyone is needed in Space

Tune in Now to listen to the second episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 2: Let’s discuss the A in STE(A)M – and why everyone is needed in Space

Director of Education at Explore Mars & Founder of the renowned television series Janet’s Planet, Janet Ivey, will focus on the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, and the ARTS, highlighting how each child’s passion can be supported in building the pipeline to space!

Essential questions:

  • Is there a professional field that is NOT needed in space? If so, what is it?
  • It is great to survive off-world, but what would it take to thrive and prosper?
  • Who is needed and what skills must they possess if you are in a settlement on another planet like Mars or working in a station on the moon?

Classroom project:

Cities in Space Micro Project: Imagining your own City in Space (Activity brought to you by STEAMSPACE®)

Goals and outcomes :

Through research, sharing and presentations, students gain an understanding that the jobs and fields needed to have a thriving, not just surviving, off-world community are much more expansive than one might have presumed prior to this project .

Length:

Teachers can take this project as far as they would like spending a matter of weeks on this project or a few simple classes.

Materials Needed:

Posterboard or digital presentation materials.

Recommended group size:

Divide the classroom into small groups between two and five students.

Activity: Imagine A City in Space

Your city currently has 1,500 inhabitants and is destined to grow and thrive. (Thrive is the most important word when we are thinking of our city in space. It is one thing to create a community off world that survives, but what will be needed to thrive?) Who will be needed to create this growing off-world metropolis? Where would your city be? Whether your city is located on the moon, Mars, or floating in free space, each location has specific needs and requirements to successfully thrive.

Examples of specialties and professions that would be highly needed living in an off-world community are listed below, your students may choose to add to this list.  (Teachers may choose to have students either draw their field and profession out of a bag or students can choose for themselves.)

  • Space architecture. Engineering. Chemistry. Mathematics. 
  • Medical support and research. Mental health. Education and child care. 
  • Geology in seismology. Automotive technology and mining technology. 
  • Visual arts and design utilization. Computer programming. Artificial intelligence specialization. 3D printing. Music and entertainment.  
  • Solar power and environmental studies. Radiation studies. 
  • Space law and policy. Anthropology/History.
  • Agriculture/husbandry/botany. Space agriculture and ecology. Waste management. 
  • Rocket science. Physics. Hypersonics.

Student groups will research the location of their city and the needs required to have a successful settlement and then expand upon those ideas with their designated field. They will be able to illustrate on the poster board or their digital model how they will be contributing to the community.

Once student teams have researched, illustrated, and for more advanced groups, created a written work, students can plan on how to give their presentation. (Presentation practice is a great skill which is essential for learning healthy communication not only in academics, but in a successful community, so have your student groups decide who will be speaking.)

Once presentations are given, have the entire class create either a digital or physical model of their city using the data found by each specific group.

Have fun exploring! (and send us pics of your projects!!)

Additional opportunities for students:

Let’s talk about Rocket Science!

Tune in Now to listen to the first episode of the Cities in Space Podcast!

Episode 1: Rocket Science with Dr. Leon Vanstone: How do we get there?

Rocket scientist, space entrepreneur and storyteller, Dr. Vanstone joins us to tell his story and offer his insight on where we will be going next in this golden age of space exploration.

Geared for your classroom: All of our episodes are planned for classroom success and are  30 minutes long and include Essential Questions and Classroom Projects.

Essential questions:

  • What is rocket propulsion?
  • What is acceleration?
  • Why does gravity play such an important role in rocket science?

Classroom project:

Building your Engine

Activity brought to you by Jet Propulsion Laboratory:

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/make-a-soda-can-engine/