Mission Control is also a learning experience program delivered at Science Gallery Melbourne. Click here to book in an IRL excursion.

BRING MARS TO YOUR CLASSROOM

Here you will find all the resources you need to run the coolest *civics and citizenship* lesson ever, and guide your class through a Mars Mission *design thinking challenge*.

Civics and Citizenship
Critical and Creative Thinking
Design and Technologies
Digital Technologies
Economics and Business
Science
All required resources can be accessed via a form at the bottom of this page, alongside additional resources to extend student learning.
You will receive:
Slide Decks (PPT)
Each lesson comes equipped with a good-to-go presentation, including teacher notes and estimated timings.
Activity Cards
Each lesson utilises digital and printable cards for students to gain information, take on roles, and ideate solutions.
Electorate Cards
- Students each represent their own constituents in parliament for electorates such as Ruralton and Metropolis Heights.
Special Role Cards
- Every party needs leaders! These cards provide students with roles such as Minister for Space Industries.
Industry Cards
- To support students in making their important parliamentary decisions, these cards are full of industry projects that could support a successful Mars Mission
Terraforming Mission Cards
- These cards guide students to speculate on what different industries on Mars might need.
Response Template & Statement Scaffold
Parties need to be clear and concise, so these templates step out how students can present their opinions.
It’s Civics and Citizenship learning, but not as you know it! Students step into the chamber and act as Members of Parliament. Guide them as they weigh up which industries are most needed to set up planetary operations on Mars in a way that reflects the parliamentary process. Will their party have the numbers to pass a bill?
Teacher Duties
The slide deck contains detailed instructions and notes so you can deliver this program with ease.
Before the Lesson:
- Print and download the required resources as stated in the slide deck (available at the bottom of this page)
- Divide student workspace into 4 areas: Government, Opposition, Minor Party 1, and Minor Party 2, as outlined in the slide deck.
During the Lesson:
- Introduce students to the Victorian Parliamentary Process
- Provide each student with an electorate card, and have each party designate leaders & speakers
- Support your students as they pass a bill in parliament.
We have lift-off! Working in the industries they selected to go on the mission, students are tasked with a design-thinking challenge to model the infrastructure needed for a successful mission. Success relies on collaborating with other industries to build a thriving city on the Red Planet.
Teacher Duties
Before the Lesson:
- Print and download the required resources (Click the button at the bottom of this page to receive the resources)
- Allocate spaces for each of the up to 10 teams to work on their designs
- Choose your adventure! What materials and style of response will your students make? Our favourites include lego, storyboards, and pitches.
Follow the instructions on the slides to guide your students.
During the Lesson:
- If you completed From Parliament to Mars, use the 10 industries students voted on.
- Brief students on their mission to design an industry solution for Mars
- Support students to complete their design challenge.

BOOST YOUR MISSION

Utilise these additional resources to extend and enhance your classroom experience.

Science Gallery Melbourne

Be inspired by resources exploring speculative futures and real careers.

STEAM Careers Forums: Including Future Industries & Emerging Tech

DARK MATTERS Exhibition in collaboration with Arts at CERN and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics

Parliament of Victoria

Dive deep into the parliamentary process with helpful resources created by Parliament of Victoria.

How to Host a Committee Inquiry

How a Law is Made Teacher Guide

Parliament of Victoria Virtual Tour

Australian Space Agency

Take it further with these resources to help students understand the importance of Australia’s growing space industry.

Why Does Space Matter

Australian Space Discovery Centre Learning Resources

Enrich your lessons and provide students with real-world project examples, curated by the Australian Space Agency, which they can draw on when completing their design challenge.

Industry Examples