BAHRAINI students have been challenged to design colony for humans on Mars as part of a unique competition launched by the National Space Science Agency (NSSA).
Their mission is to design a settlement on the planet taking into consideration both human health and safety while also providing shelter from extreme temperature.
The ‘Design Your Mars Colony’ competition is open to Bahraini students, aged seven to 12, who can submit their work in either Arabic or English on or before September 6.
According to NSSA resources and administrative services chief Maryam Al Mulla, around 50 to 70 children are expected to take part in the competition, with the winners being announced on September 10.
“Since the NSSA was set up in 2014, one of its most important tasks has been to inform the public about developments in the space science field and develop programmes and activities that will inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), more broadly,” she told the GDN.
“One of the goals of this competition is to gain and maintain an interest in STEM and the space sciences with the long-term objective being contributing towards creating a knowledge-based society and developing a young workforce that will ensure Bahrain continues its efforts in this increasingly important field.”
She highlighted that the participants in the competition will be required to design a colony on Mars for 100 people after conducting research about ways of keeping humans alive, including having access to food, water and breathable air.
According to Ms Al Mulla, the children’s designs will have to provide shelter from extreme temperatures as well as an energy source for power systems and access to medical services and exercise.
“It’s a multi-disciplinary competition where children will learn extensively about Mars, brainstorm and research design solutions for food, water, energy and other critical systems necessary to build a colony model from household materials,” she added.
“The activity consists of two parts: Participants will be asked to sketch their idea of a Mars colony, and create a simple prototype using household and stationary materials.
“Participants should take photos and videos explaining what they have created and email their submissions to Competition@cleverplay.org”.
The top three winners will be awarded e-certificates, space trophies and Hands-On-STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) kits.
“In this competition, the NSSA is bringing current events into the mainstream. With Nasa, SpaceX and others making plans to send humans to Mars, this competition allows students to design their own version of a colony,” said a statement.
“By launching these competitions, the NSSA looks to increase public awareness and understanding of their strategic priorities and mission and ignite interest in the field of space science early on.”
For more information and to register visit www.nssa.gov.bh or @nssa_bh on Instagram.
Radiation
Meanwhile, public space agencies and private corporations across the world have displayed interest in the hypothetical colonisation of Mars – the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the solar system, being only larger than Mercury.
Although no person has set foot on the planet, landers and rovers have successfully explored its surface and delivered reports about conditions on the ground.
Research has found that difficulties and hazards include radiation exposure during a trip to Mars and on its surface, as well as toxic soil and low gravity along with the isolation that accompanies Mars’ distance from Earth.
Challenges also include a lack of water and cold temperatures.
The most recent commitments to researching permanent settlement include the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, European Space Agency, Russia’s Roscosmos, the Indian Space Research Organisation and China National Space Administration, as well as SpaceX, Lockheed Martin and Boeing from the private sector.
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