OUR MISSION

The NexGen STEM Academy seeks to build the next generation of leaders that are inspired to assess and solve community and global problems collaboratively through curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

8th GRADE SHOWCASE
PROJECT VULCAN

The Mission...


The colonization of Mars is no longer considered a science fiction dream. It is quickly becoming a science reality. Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk are pushing the envelope further towards setting up a permanent colony on Mars. With the current and future probes, rovers and missions to
Mars by NASA, the outlook on this mission is very bright. The role that we will play in this great human endeavor is looking to the future of colonization. The needs for humans to survive and thrive on Mars will require a lot of old current and new technology and scientific breakthroughs. Scientists expertise from various fields will need to be utilized to ensure that we can make this mission a success. You will focus on the initial launch of a mission to Mars, this will include the following.
  • Rocket development and deployment
  • Engineering of rovers and communication outposts
  • Exploration and conformation of colonization site
  • Building of habitat pods (living spaces) for astronauts
  • Understanding of the Martian planet:
    • Geological 
    • Meteorological
    • Astronomical
  • Development, design and engineering of food producing systems to sustain human life
  • Development, design and engineering of water collection and retainment systems
  • Graph and represent different elements of the project algebraically, analyzing key features of linear, exponential, and quadratic functions.
  • Utilize electronic tools to represent and analyze data.
Success and failures will be celebrated and criticized to help foster a better understanding of the importance of engineering and scientific knowledge as it relates to space and planetary exploration.

Each group's dedication to their topic and the mission will determine the overall success. This capstone project will require students to use what they have learned throughout their coursework with the NeXgen Team. Resources such as your class notes, websites, books, magazines, documentaries and other outlets will aid in getting a better understanding of the gravity of the mission that we as a human species will have to face given the circumstances of interplanetary travel.

Good Luck...

Team Roles...