Every year, I conclude my science classes with the Mars Habitat activity. I started this project about fifteen years ago and have progressively made it larger and with more features. This is a great cooperative activity as it requires the full class to fold and tape the habitats and tunnels. I do this with three 8th grade classes and I have my other 7th grade classes help make repairs. This year they built six habitats and connected them with four tunnels.

We use lots of 3mm plastic tarps and about 20 rolls of duct tape. This year I started buying the 3mm tarps in bulk. I make it another class exercise to cut the plastic to sizes needed. Each habitat requires two 10′x25′ tarps. There is a certain way to fold the plastic and tape them together. I will explain in another video how this is done.

The Commander routine and outfit is from when I taught in Florida. We took the students to Space Camp for a week and I got into it as much as they did. It’s a great activity and I enjoy teaching this level. If you are a science teacher and would like to try this activity, let me know and leave a comment. If there is sufficient interest, I’m give more information on how to do all this.