Background

1n 1983, Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University, developed the theory of multiple intelligences.  He proposes eight different intelligences to explain the broad range of human potential in children and adults.  The eight multiple intelligences are:

1. linguistic intelligence
2. logical-mathematical intelligence
3. spatial intelligence
4. bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
5. musical intelligence
6. interpersonal intelligence
7. intrapersonal intelligence
8. naturalist intelligence.  

Dr. Gardner states that our schools mainly concentrate on teaching our students using linguistic and logical-mathematical approaches.

For the Human-Mars Challenge, students will have to use multiple intelligences to successfully complete the challenge.  Working in groups, students will have to communicate an effective message using artwork (picture, drawing, sculpture, painting etc.) or music as the medium.  The message is to clearly explain the long-term effects on the human body (muscles and bones) as astronauts travel to and from Mars. In space, muscles, which normally get a daily work out pulling against gravity, become deconditioned.  Studies on muscle and bone in astronauts have provided interesting insight into the effects of space microgravity conditions on human physiology.  Scientists have observed that astronauts lose bone mass at a rate of about 1% per month during flight.

Space flight bone experiments include examining the importance of good nutrition, the role of vitamin D in calcium metabolism, understanding calcium kinetics, investigating the formation and resorption of bone, engineering healthy bone, preventing osteoporosis and other bone diseases, and decreasing the risk of fractures. Ensuring astronauts have the right nutrients in the food they eat in space is critical for their health during and after flight.  What countermeasures can astronauts perform to reduce muscle and bone loss while traveling and working in a microgravity environment?  The answer to this question will be answered in your artwork or lyrics to a song.

Once each group completes the message, they are to submit their artwork or music (digital picture or music file) to be posted on the NASA CONNECT™ website. A team of muscle and bone specialists from NASA Johnson Space Center will try to interpret the group’s message.  NASA will communicate with each group via a teacher’s email account.  If the NASA team successfully interprets the correct message, then the group will receive a special prize from NASA.  Remember the old saying…”A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Are you or your student’s up to the challenge?  We look forward to student’s submittals!