Design a Sport for Mars

The Kids Science Challenge, with support from NASA’s Imagine Mars Project, is asking students in grades 3 through 6 to consider what sports might be played by members of the first martian community. Students must submit their very own ideas for a game suitable for the red planet by Feb. 28, 2010. Winners will work with engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to flesh out their plans and bring their sport into reality (at least on Earth).

Mars scientist Ashwin Vasavada will work with the winning student(s). “I don’t know what to expect,” he said. “I imagine the ideas will be as extreme as the environment on Mars!”  Engineer Suparna Mukherjee said, “This is an awesome opportunity for kids to tackle a difficult challenge in a really fun way.”

Funded by a four-year grant from The National Science Foundation, the Kids’ Science Challenge offers elementary-school-age children the opportunity to practice real science and to work with scientists and engineers. Over 770 students entered last year’s competition and even more are expected to enter this year.

Enter Contest:  www.kidsciencechallenge.com

More information about Imagine Mars: http://imaginemars.jpl.nasa.gov