NASA JPL/NSTA Web Seminars:

Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet

Exploring Mars with Robots!
The eighth seminar in NASA's JPL series, Robotic Exploration of the Red Planet, was held on Thursday, May 24, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The presenter was Greg Mehall, research specialist in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at the Arizona State University Mars Space Flight Facility. Mr. Mehall provided a "behind the scenes" look of what it takes to build complex robots, like the twin rovers that are still driving across the surface of Mars.

• See this Web Seminar's Archive.
• Download the PowerPoint Presentation (5.67 MB)

Twenty-six (26) participants were present at the live Web Seminar in addition to the presenter, the moderator, Mr. Brian Grigsby also from Arizona State University, and the NSTA staff. Participating educators represented the states of California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. One participant joined the program from Canada. Another participant attended from Spain.

The Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, arrived at Mars in 2004. While at Mars, the robots have traveled over 4 miles (each), exploring the Red planet and unveiling information for scientists to analyze. Years of work took place to design and develop these machines, including some failures with the parachute and the airbags designed for landing on Mars. All participants received a copy of NSTA's SciGuide about A Close-Up Look at the Red Planet, grades 5-8.

Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:

• "Our Challenger Center takes students and the general public on simulated trips to Mars - also Mars is a topic with our summer campers."
• "This is absolutely one of the best web seminars. I am so excited about the prospect of going to Mars. I hope that one of my students gets the opportunity."
• "The design process is important in Technology Education. It was presented fully, with great examples. Science applied and it worked!"
• "I am a teacher in a NASA Explorer School. This presentation really increased
  my understanding of Mars exploration. I am looking forward to seeing the video clips again and showing them to my students."

Thanks to the participants the presenter and moderator for the learning opportunity, the interactions, and a job well done!

Websites

• NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
• Mars Exploration Rovers
  http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Movies

• Parachute Drop test (1.13 MB)
• Six Minutes of Terror (3.61 MB)
• Airbag Test (1.39 MB)

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For more information contact webseminars@nsta.org

Underwritten by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory