Pupils can now discover whether life really exists on the red planet with a new mission to Mars experience at the National Space Centre in Leicester. 

Two girls look on at news footage in awe as part of National Space Centre's Mission to Mars

Source: Alex Hammam Photography

Pupils can experience a Mission to Mars inside the Tetrastar’s Spaceport at the National Space Centre.

The one-hour simulated space mission has been developed for between 12 and 33 students to use a variety of curriculum-based skills, such as communication, problem solving and a knowledge of space, circuits and nature. 

Pupils and their teachers will be given a full mission brief prior to launching to Mars. Once on the planet’s surface, students will then work to achieve specific goals, either in isolation, small groups, or as a whole class.  

A visit can cover a range of topics: science (plants, electricity, circuits, living things), numeracy (problem-solving, addition and subtraction, coordinates) and literacy (reading and communication skills). 

Inside the Tetrastar Spaceport as part of National Space Centre's Mission to Mars

Source: Alex Hammam Photography

Wannabe astronauts will be invited to take a seat on the Tharsis spacecraft and join the ever helpful ADA as they head off on a journey to the stars. 

Education and space communications manager Charlotte Isham said: “Learning outside of the classroom is an important way for children to experience education in a fun and immersive way.

“Our new missions from Tetrastar Spaceport help with core curriculum skills, as well as teamwork, communication and developing a knowledge of the future of human exploration on our planet and beyond.” 

Designed for Years 5 to 8, the experience can be booked as an addition to a school trip to the centre. 

A teenage girl tries out the National Space Centre's new Mission to Mars experience

Source: Alex Hammam Photography

Students can get hands-on as part of the new experience with links to science, numeracy and literacy. 

More about school visits to the National Space Centre

Since opening in 2001 the centre has welcomed over 4.6 million visitors, including more than one million school children. It’s home to the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium, the UKs largest planetarium in which children can learn what it’s like to go into space in one of the astronaut animated films. There are also presenter-led shows available which are based around different curriculum topics. 

“Learning outside of the classroom is an important way for children to experience education in a fun and immersive way.”

Charlotte Isham, education and space communications manager, National Space Centre

The team also offer STEM workshops, teacher training and even sleepovers in the centre itself which include a trail around the galleries, space themed activities and a Tour of the Night Sky in the planetarium before pupils sleep in the gallery around the exhibitions for an experience to remember. 

To find out more visit www.spacecentre.co.uk

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