Upper Elementary: Mission to Mars: Space Engineers (UE.Sc.1)
Mission to Mars teaches the fundamentals of planetary science through an exciting first-person narrative adventure. Co-op students discover a mysterious object in the forest and must work together to return it to where it came from. Along the way, students explore what makes a planet, the differences between inner and outer planets, habitable worlds, Goldilocks zones, orbits, seasons, Mars exploration, space technology, and much more.
While the course is designed to take about one hour per day, students have flexibility throughout the week in completing readings, assignments, and activities. All coursework should be completed during the assigned week, but families may work at the pace and schedule that best fits the student. The only fixed meeting time is the live weekly Zoom class with the teacher and classmates. When registering, families should make sure they are available to attend the live Zoom sessions at the scheduled time.
The class uses an interactive online platform where students read the unfolding story, learn scientific concepts, take quizzes, participate in online discussions with classmates, and meet weekly with the teacher and other students over Zoom. This fast-paced course combines science, storytelling, and collaboration to create an engaging learning experience.
This is one of four sections in the course. After completing this section, students are encouraged to continue with Out of the Depths of Europa, followed by Escape from Venus, and finally The Last Signal.
Our classes are designed to be interactive, collaborative, and community-focused. Students learn best when they actively participate with one another, so engagement is an important part of the class experience.
Participation Expectations
Students are expected to:
- Participate regularly in class discussion forums
- Attend Zoom sessions prepared and ready to engage
- Contribute respectfully to conversations and activities
- Help create a welcoming and supportive learning environment
To encourage connection and communication, students should keep their cameras on during Zoom sessions whenever possible. Students are welcome to use virtual backgrounds, avatars, or filters if that helps them feel more comfortable or to retain privacy.
Because our classes are relationship-based and discussion-centered, students should use the same filter, avatar, or background consistently throughout the course. This helps classmates build familiarity and connection over time. For example, students may remember one another by visual cues such as, “The giant strawberry mentioned they like hiking last week.”
However, filters, avatars, or backgrounds should not become distracting to the class environment. If a filter or background disrupts learning or draws excessive attention, instructors may ask the student to change it during the session.
Online Safety & Privacy
Creating friendships and meaningful connections online can be a positive part of the class experience. However, online spaces also require caution and awareness.
For everyone’s safety:
- Students should not share personal or private information with other students
- This includes addresses, phone numbers, passwords, private social media accounts, financial information, or other sensitive details
- Students should immediately report any suspicious, uncomfortable, or inappropriate behavior to an instructor or trusted adult
We highly encourage parents and guardians to stay involved and help students make safe and appropriate choices about what they share online.
Community Values
We strive to build a community based on:
- Curiosity
- Understanding
- Respect
- Friendship
- Responsibility
Every student plays a role in creating a positive online environment. We ask all students to treat one another with kindness, communicate thoughtfully, and help keep our community safe and supportive for everyone.
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