1) Welcome & Setup (5 min)
Content: Session goals, overview of colony model.
Engagement: Quick show of hands on Tinkercad experience.
Process: Open the shared starter model; confirm all devices/logins.
2) Survival Systems Brief (5 min)
Content: Essential needs on Mars: air, water, food, shelter, power.
Engagement: Think-pair-share: which module addresses each need?
Process: Distribute Justification Worksheet (purpose, survival role, evidence).
3) Guided Build Loop 1 — Habitat & Airlock (15 min)
Content: Core tools (workplane, ruler, align, group, holes).
Engagement: Follow-along: duplicate starter shell + build a simple airlock.
Process: Checkpoint A: peers explain their design in 30 sec; fill worksheet.
4) Guided Build Loop 2 — Greenhouse & Lab (15 min)
Content: Transparent parts, modular design, power/lab placement.
Engagement: Mini-challenge: “Where should the greenhouse connect and why?”
Process: Checkpoint B: screenshot + short justification with table partner.
5) Annotation & Reflection (10 min)
Content: Add text labels to modules; prepare justification notes.
Engagement: Quick gallery walk: view 2 other teams’ models.
Process: Record 1 insight or idea from peers.
6) Mini-Showcase & Wrap-Up (10 min)
Content: Teams present their colony (1 min each).
Engagement: Warm feedback: “I noticed… I wonder…”
Process: Share resource bundle: starter model link, worksheet, rubric.
After this session, participants will be able to:
Design a 3D model of a Mars colony element (habitat, lab, greenhouse) using Tinkercad.
Justify design decisions by connecting survival requirements, sustainability, and innovation to their prototypes.
Apply design thinking and computational strategies to break down complex survival problems into manageable design tasks.
Collaborate with peers to refine and present 3D models, practicing teamwork and creative communication.
Replicate the project as a classroom-ready STEM activity that integrates creativity, research, and digital design.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Research and educational resources on Mars exploration, survival requirements, and habitat design.
European Space Agency (ESA) Education Resources – Curriculum materials and research on space habitats, sustainability, and engineering design challenges for students.
Project-Based Learning for the 21st Century (Buck Institute for Education, 2015) – Documentation of the impact of authentic projects on student engagement and problem-solving.
“Design Thinking in Education” by Jeanne Liedtka (Harvard Business Review, 2018) – Evidence on how design thinking fosters innovation and creative problem-solving in classrooms.
Tinkercad Official Learning Resources (Autodesk Education) – Guides and case studies on 3D modeling as a pathway for STEM engagement.
“STEM Integration in K–12 Education” (National Academies Press, 2014) – Research on interdisciplinary approaches that connect science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through authentic projects.
International Space University Studies on Mars Habitats – Analysis of sustainability and survival strategies in extraterrestrial environments.
“Transformational Learning in Practice” by Jack Mezirow & Associates (Jossey-Bass, 2009) – Foundational work on reflective, authentic learning experiences.
Journal of Science Education and Technology – Peer-reviewed studies on the role of digital modeling and simulations in improving conceptual understanding in STEM.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – Emphasizes cross-cutting concepts such as systems thinking, sustainability, and engineering design.
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