A Narrative-Centered Approach to STEAM Learning & 3D Design

Mission to Mars

Influential voices call for a new STEM edu Paradigm.

National Research Council Committee on Science Learning:● “Although children come to school with innate curiosity about the natural

world, science classes rarely foster their interest. Students spend time listening to lectures, carrying out preordained cookbook laboratory activities, and memorizing the science facts that are emphasized in current high-stakes tests, losing interest in science as they move beyond elementary school.”

● “Many experts call for a new approach to science education, based in cognitive research. In this inquiry based learning, teachers spark students’ interest by engaging them in investigations, helping them to develop understanding of both science concepts and science processes while maintaining motivation for science learning.”

● “Computer simulations and games have great potential to catalyze inquiry based learning...by providing virtual lab of field learning experiences that overcome practical and logistical constraints to student investigations.”

Learning Science Through Computer Games and Simulations (2012), Committee on Science Learning: Computer Games, Simulations, and Education; National Research Council

Narratives foster emotional investment & engagement.Engagement is an inherent challenge for self-driven online learning.

Readers of fiction are transported to another time & place. Narrative interactive experiences (video games) build on this focus through active participation and emotional investment.

A strong narrative context has great potential for increasing efficacy of online learning.

“Towards Narrative-Centered Learning Environments” - Mott et al, NC State University“Narrative-Centered Tutorial Planning for Inquiry Based Learning Environments“ - Mott et al, NC State University

Narrative-driven approach to building 3D design skillsCompetency in 3D design and modeling demands sustained focus and engagement.

The associated learning curve poses a significant challenge to young students.

We believe a strong narrative will increase both the appeal and efficacy of an online 3D design learning experience.

“Mission to Mars” proposal overviewAudience:● middle school students (& classrooms) worldwide● built for self-driven learning, with additional content and materials

facilitating classroom usage● mapped to relevant science standards● English-language video w/ local language subtitles

Learning outcomes:● competency in 3d design & modeling via 123D apps● competency with middle-school Engineering Design portion of Next

Generation Science Standards (US)● familiarity with challenges of space exploration

“Mission to Mars” core content● 10-part episodic series of serialized, animated video shorts tells story of

four characters journeying to Mars in the early 2030s (consensus converges on this timeframe… and today’s middle school students will be the ones making it happen!).

● Each episode ends with protagonists facing a cliffhanger dilemma. they break the 4th wall, appealing to “Mission Control” (the student or class) for help.

● Students use 123D apps to create novel solutions, sending a design to the characters to print using one of the three 3D printers onboard the craft.

● Each challenge is modular and poses progressive difficulty.

“Mission to Mars” supporting content● How-to videos - teach 123D App usage directly relevant to each challenge

● Context videos - feature astronauts and other professionals provide anecdotes, discuss real-life challenges being solved through 3D design

● External links - relevant 3rd party content

● Design templates - objects “on the spacecraft” that students tweak or incorporate into their designs

● Social media - Facebook pages where fictional protagonists post relevant background details and engage with participants

“Mission to Mars” campaign structure● Ten challenges released weekly, starting at end of 2013-14 school year

● Each week is a discrete competition, with prizes and recognition awarded to winning designs

● Builds up to lengthy final challenge that draws on skills built in previous challenges

● Web-based distribution via oooojoooo.com

Sample challenges● mission logo design● fix broken component on International Space Station● lunar colony● space fashion show (wearables)● space medicine● space fitness● gravity and orbital mechanics (Aldrin Cycler, space rendezvous)● Martian landscape● Martian creatures (occurring within a character’s dream)● Mars lander● planetary exploration rovers● Martian Colony

Sample plot milestones ● astronaut training● launch from Earth (national agency or commercial spaceport) ● low Earth Orbit (checkout activities, establishing comms) ● arrive at International Space Station (prep work, checkouts, supply load)● transit to human-tended station at Earth-Moon Lagrange point (observation

work, refuel from lunar ISRU, final checkout for Mars)● lunar surface activity (lunar observatory, mining stations, science bases)● capture of asteroid● Martian moon landing (perform science, robotic operation of surface

rovers, prepare for landing, check human health from transit, talk about health program countermeasures)

● Mars surface landing (aerodynamics, extreme environments) ● Mars colonization (sustainability, climate, science)

STEAM learning objectives informed by standards

Science& Engineering& Math

Art

Technology

Sample challenge: Repair and restyle solar panel

Space debris ripped through a solar panel on the International Space Station. Fix it, and make it look cooler than before!Using 123D Design, students load template of the broken panel to repair and restyle. ● link: relevant 123D Design tutorials● link: video of ISS spacewalk and on-board walkthrough● link: article about 2012 ISS MacGyver-style repair job● supplementary video: ISS tour and

experiment videos by astronauts● supplementary video: insights

from Made in Space founder

Sample challenge: Repair and restyle solar panel

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Science Physical Sciences● MS-PS1 Matter and its Interacti

ons● MS-PS3 Energy

● Develop conceptual understanding of solar cells● Understand how silicon molecules help convert

solar energy into electrical energy

Engineering&

Technology

Introduction to 123D Design:Become familiar with 3D

reconstruction

Engineering, Technology, and Application of Science

● MS-ETS1 Engineering Design

● Able to reconstruct a simple 3D shapes using 123D Design

(Supplementary) Apply scientific principles to design, construct, and test a device that maximizes thermal energy transfer (MS-PS3-3): Example

Related standards and learning objectives

Sample challenge: Repair and restyle solar panel

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Mathematics 6th Grade: Geometry● CCSS.Math.Content.6.G.A.3

7th Grade: Geometry● CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.A.2● CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.A.3

● Draw polygons in the coordinate plane given coordinates for the vertices

● Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions

● Describe the two-dimensional figures that result from slicing three-dimensional figures

Related standards and learning objectives

Sample challenge: Space medicine

We’re running out of radiation cream! Someone has been slathering himself! Need to make more using 3D nanoprinter.Students design a viral vector using Tinkercad, Design or Creature.● templates: 3D geometric shapes in 123D Design● link: Khan Academy’s Introduction to Viruses● link: “Print your own Medicine” TED Talk● link: “Do Astronauts Ever Get Sick in Space” video

Sample challenge: Space medicine

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Science Life Sciences● MS-LS1 From Molecules to Or

ganisms: Structures and Processes

Physical Sciences● MS-PS1 Matter and its Interacti

ons

● Develop and use a model to describe the various structures of bacteria and virus and ways they contribute to the function.

● Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of viruses and bacteria

● Observe and understand differences between viruses vs bacteria (shapes, roles in ecosystem, life cycle)

● How viruses and bacteria spread and why it is dangerous in space

● (Supplementary) Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple drug molecules such as ibuprofen

Related standards and learning objectives

Sample challenge: Space medicine

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Engineering &

Technology

Applicable Apps:● Tinkercad● 123D Design● Creature

● Create more complex 3D shapes using 1) Tinkercad and 2) 123D Design and/or 3) Creature

● Observing structures of organisms, make prediction about their functions, and constructing explanations

● Design your own germs: create a new virus or bacteria and try to explain functions of various parts

Mathematics 6th Grade: Ratios● CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.1● CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.3a

● Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.

● Make tables of equivalent ratios relating quantities with whole-number measurements, find missing values in the tables, and plot the pairs of values on the coordinate plane. Use tables to compare ratios.

Related standards and learning objectives

Sample challenge: Space wearables

A style-conscious astronaut is bored with the same old spacesuits. Time for some zero-g Project Runway!Students design a wearable using 123D Make and upload a photo of themselves wearing it.● templates: bracelet, shoes, top hat● link: Cubify’s First Ever 3D-Printed Shoes

Sample Challenge 3: Space Wearables

Challenge 3: Arts Challenge! Space Wearables

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Arts Visual Art Standards ● Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas

● Students integrate visual, spatial, and temporal concepts with content to communicate intended meaning in their artworks

● Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks

Engineering &

Technology

Applicable Apps:● 123D Catch● 123D Design● 123D Creature

● Students should use their skills in creating complex shapes into wearables that fit into their body

● Learn to create a product with considerations in its size, shape, color, and beauty

They’ve arrived on the Martian moon, but the landscape on Mars poses challenges for their rover, requiring a redesign! Students use 123D Create to redesign the rover frame.● supplementary video: NASA Ames

scientist Maria Bualat explains telerobotics on Mars

● template: existing rover design● link: Story of Mars Rovers (TED Talk)● link: NASA Ames Surface Telerobotics● link: Alba Mons Wikipedia entry

Final challenge:telerobotic Mars rover

Mark Barthelemy (founder)● project producer● background in educational consulting, consumer-facing online content,

Facebook and iPhone application developmentNara Kim - (director of educational programs)● mapping project challenges to science standards and learning outcomes● background in curriculum development, educational consulting, classroom

teachingJared Head (curriculum design)● detailed work on challenge design● currently pursuing Master’s in Engineering, docent at Griffith Observatory

Måns Swanberg (animator http://www.pistachios.se/)● animation & character development● experience producing animations for MTV, Red Bull, Tostitos

OOOOjOOOO core team

OOOOjOOOO supporting teamJohn Conley ● current graduate student - Stanford Aeronautics & Astronautics ● NASA Ames intern

Kshitij Mall● current graduate research assistant - Aerospace Systems at Purdue

University School of Aeronautics● conducting research on landing manned missions on Mars using various

methods for entry, descent, and landing Nico Montoya● undergrad student at UCSD, president and founding member of Triton

Rocket Club● currently MQ-8C Fire Scout Engineer Intern at Northrop Grumman

Corporation

Sample challenge: Space medicine

Gene Therapy for Radiation Protection Challenge:

● Challenge in a NutshelloStudents to design a 3D model of a viral vector for gene

therapy using Tinkercad, Design or Creature.● Narrative

o We’re running out of radiation cream! Someone has been slathering himself! Need to make more using 3D nanoprinter.

Sample challenge: Space medicine

● Background Scientific KnowledgeoVirus: Structures and FunctionsoSpace Travel and RadiationoGene Therapy and Viral VectorsoGeometry: 3D Shapes

● Teacher’s Resources:o link: NASA’s The Radiation Challenge Unito link: “Do Astronauts Ever Get Sick in Space” videoo link: Khan Academy’s Introduction to Viruseso link:

Scientific American: Mouse Study Shows Gene Therapy Provides Temporary Protection from Radiation

o link: Journal Article - Gene therapy for radiation protectiono link: Journal Article - Space Missions and Gene Therapyo link: Journal Article - Radiation Protection by Gene Therapy

Sample challenge: Space medicine

● 3D Modelling for Deep Conceptual UnderstandingoOnline Downloadable and Editable 3D Templates of Virus

Structureso3D Templates serves as models to learn about intricate

structures and functions of the viruso Instructors and students can access the templates to edit

the structures to include more detailsoExample Templates

Dodecahedron Self-Assembling Virus Bacteriophage T4 & 3D Printed

Sample challenge: Space medicine

● Challenge: Design a Polyhedral Viral Capsido Use 123D Design or TinkercadoAdenovirus Capsid: Dodecahedron, IcosahedronoBacteriophage T4 Head: Bipyramidal hexagonal prism

● Enrichment Challenge: Design Outer ProteinsoFor Adenovirus & Retrovirus - Cell Receptor ProteinsoBacteriophage T4 - Body & Tail Proteins

Sample challenge: Space medicine

Sample challenge: Space medicine

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Science Life Sciences● MS-LS1 From Molecules to Or

ganisms: Structures and Processes

Physical Sciences● MS-PS1 Matter and its Interacti

ons

● Develop and use a model to describe the various structures of bacteria and virus and ways they contribute to the function.

● Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of viruses and bacteria

● Observe and understand differences between viruses vs bacteria (shapes, roles in ecosystem, life cycle)

● How viruses and bacteria spread and why it is dangerous in space

● (Supplementary) Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple drug molecules such as ibuprofen

Related standards and learning objectives

Sample challenge: Space medicine

Subject Related Standards Learning Objectives

Engineering &

Technology

Applicable Apps:● Tinkercad● 123D Design

● Create more complex 3D shapes using 1) Tinkercad or 2) 123D Design

● Observing structures of organisms, make prediction about their functions, and constructing explanations

● Design your own germs: create a new virus or bacteria and try to explain functions of various parts

Mathematics 6th Grade: Ratios● CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.1● CCSS.Math.Content.6.RP.A.3a

6th Grade: Geometry● CCSS.Math.Content.6.G.A.3

7th Grade: Geometry● CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.A.2● CCSS.Math.Content.7.G.A.3

● Understand the concept of a ratio and use ratio language to describe a ratio relationship between two quantities.

● Draw polygons in the coordinate plane given coordinates for the vertices

● Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions

● Describe the two-dimensional figures that result from slicing three-dimensional figures