Mission to Mars: Expedition With Roles and Resources

Teams are crews completing a four-stage expedition, each stage a movement problem that can only be solved if every role does its job. It's a wrap-up lesson to apply what students learned in cooperative challenges.

How to play

1. Briefing and role cards for teams of 5 or 6: commander (decides when there's disagreement), navigator (reads the map), medic (the only one who can "repair"), communicator (the only one who talks to base), and engineers (5 min).
2. Stage 1, sample collection: the navigator, standing in a hoop, has a map showing the position and color of 6 cones and guides the team to collect them in the given order (8 min).
3. Stage 2, water tank: carry a ball on a hoop held by four people over 30 meters; if it falls, the medic must tag the person who dropped it so they can continue (9 min).
4. Stage 3, antenna: the communicator sees a sequence of 5 gestures on a card and must pass it to the team 20 meters away using only body signals; the team performs it for the teacher (8 min).
5. Return through the dust storm: the team heads back to base; each time the whistle blows, everyone must be in contact within 5 seconds. Then a debrief on the roles (10 min).

Rules

• Each role only does what its card says; the others help without taking over.
• "Broken-down" crew members freeze until the medic tags them: never longer than 20 seconds.
• During the dust storm, walk fast; never run at teammates.
• The commander decides respectfully and listens first.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: navigator or communicator, or any role with routes on smooth ground.
• Hearing impairment: the storm whistle comes with a raised flag.
• Students with social anxiety: choose engineer or medic, with clear tasks and no speaking in front of everyone.

Learning goals

• Apply cooperative strategies in a complex challenge.
• Carry out and respect different roles.
• Value each member's contribution to shared success.

Equipment for a class of 25

• hoops: 20
• cones: 40
• balls: 6
• pinnies: 30
• role cards: 30
• map sheets: 6

Teacher tip

Prepare role cards and maps before class and set up each stage in a separate area of the field. Use it to wrap up a cooperative challenges unit, once students know the roles.

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