Type of Project : Performing Model/Pictures/Diagrams ... has even less than 1% atmospheric layer, no global magnetic field and where radiations simply smash.
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Project Information MICROCOSM Scholars Park and DPS Bhopal India 462021 Grade Level : Grade 8 Time Spent on Project : 3 Months Number of Participants : 11 -20 Type of Project : Performing Model/Pictures/Diagrams
Project Description The possible threats and challenges to human life on Mars were demonstrated by developing two life support systems - an independent system that depicted Earth; and the other dependent one that illustrated Mars. A miniature world - MICROCOSM was developed using plastic films with optimal living conditions like regulated light source, water, soil, nutrients and other abiotic factors. Plants and useful bacteria, after thorough purification of their cell - lines, were cultivated. While plants maintained air pressure by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, they came out as a potential source of food supply and recycle of waste water through eva-transpiration. Plantation also helped in keeping temperature and relative humidity of the mini-world under control. The bacterial colonies renewed human waste products into manure for reuse by plant machinery. Both the Life Support Systems were compared vis-à-vis : Earth: Galactic cosmic radiation, Solar flares and Coronal Mass ejections attempt to penetrate the Earth but mostly rebounded by its protective envelope - the atmosphere and the magnetosphere. Mars: The planet -Mars, which has even less than 1% atmospheric layer, no global magnetic field and where radiations simply smash the ground. Earth : The origin of life in a chronological evolutionary process, from single-celled prokaryotes to complex multiple organisms, with corresponding succession of changes in physico-chemical factors of the planet. Mars: Arbitrary colonization of humans or living organisms on a planet which has not been habituated to any such evolutionary phenomenon and has more inimical settings than the archaeozoic period on Earth when the life first originated. Earth: Dexterity of Life Supporting System in an Independent System where sunlight, air, water, plants, animals and micro-organisms work together in coordination to convert and cycle the energy resources from one level to another. Mars: Rational use of Life Support System in a Dependent System where limited resources need to be used, treated, recycled, regenerated and disposed until the system becomes self-sufficient.
Lessons Learned On successful demonstration of Real World Simulations and Pictures, a brain-storming session was organized on the last day, in which students were divided in five activity clubs on the basis of their subject-wise interest. They deliberated and presented their ideas on the following topics : Physics • Emission of Cosmic Radiations • Solar Flares & Coronal Mass Ejections • Intensity of Light • Temperature Variations on Mars Chemistry • Atmospheric Thickness • Composition of Air & their Partial Pressure • Hydrological & Edaphic Factors • Ionization of Atoms at High Speed Life Science • Effect of Radiations on Cell, Chromosomes & DNA • Effect of Atmospheric Pressure on Tissues, Skin and Circulatory System • Energy Flow in Natural & Simulated Ecosystem • Biodynamic Stress & its Synergistic Effect on an Astronaut Social Science • Human Behaviour in Alien Environment • Problems with Distance Travel, Telecommunication, etc. • Behavioral Response in Absence of Recreation, Cultural & Social Interaction. • Meaningful Involvement with Planetary Settings.
Real-world Mock-up of Earth & Mars facilitated the peer group to understand how Nature shields them from the hostile spell of cosmic assaults and supplies their day-to-day needs. Students could appreciate this fact when they imagined life on an alien star, a million miles away from their home planet, struggling with a strange, non-supportive and non-sustainable environment. RISHABH GARG
