The Concept

Program Details

DES@MARS 2025 Mars & Earth: For a New Future of Humanity an advanced, multi-dimensional interactive analog simulation developed by DES School in collaboration with Mars Society Hellas—the official chapter of The Mars Society International. Tailored for elementary school students, the program engages young learners in the wonders of space exploration through immersive, role-based experiences.

The simulation unfolds across two core axes:

• Grades 1 to 3: Early Exploration & raise the Mars Flag: In the first axis, young astronauts—commanders, scientists, engineers, and doctors—have just arrived on Mars, sent by Earth Headquarters on an exciting mission: to uncover a series of riddles and raise the Mars flag. In addition they explore the Martian surface for identifying key resources necessary for human survival such as water. This hands-on adventure introduces students to teamwork, scientific discovery, and the challenges of living on another planet.

• Grades 4-6: Colonial Tensions and Governance: In the second axis, students engage with a more complex narrative: a geopolitical conflict between Earth authorities and Martian settlers. As Earth-based corporations begin to monopolize Martian resources without fair compensation, tensions rise. Feelings of economic exploitation and distant governance stir resentment among colonists. This growing discontent may spark a rebellion, as Martians push for independence, equitable economic systems, and self-governance—raising profound questions about justice, autonomy, and the future of interplanetary society. A ‘Treaty of Peaceful Coexistence’ between Mars & Earth was about to be signed & acceptance of the ‘Mars Declaration of Independence’ while as the Mars Free Radio was broadcasting towards Mars independence.

Scope & Syllabus Categories

Multiple detailed tasks are designed in alignment with the development of manual skills are utilized for students to have a continuously exciting, engaging multiple senses experience to deliver a real-like Martian living. So as focus has been give to the following:

• Decision making;
• Socializing;
• Being precise and patient;
• Develop mind-oriented skills;

Mission Assessment

The mission success is based on the realisation of all required tasks, timing, motivation of the crew, quality of performed tasks and independence. At the end of the mission, students present their results on the summary meeting. Everyone elaborates the lessons learned. The Assessment takes place by utilizing the following rating model.

NASA 6-Es Rating Model

Each day or section of activities utilizes the 5-E Instructional Model (a constructivist learning cycle, helping students build their own understanding from experiences and new ideas). It has a growing research base and can be used within integration, Problem-based Learning (PBL), Project-based Learning (PjBL), and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Included in this program guide is a sixth ʻEʼ for Excite. This additional ʻEʼ shows you how to incorporate NASAʼs unique information and resources to excite trainees with career connections, real world examples, spinoffs from NASA research and more.

• Engage: During this stage students are getting interested and personally involved in the lesson, while pre-assessing prior understanding.
• Explore: The purpose for this stage is to get students involved in the topic, providing them with a chance to build their own understanding.
• Explain: At this stage students have the opportunity to communicate what they have learned so far and figure out what it means.
• Elaborate: The purpose for this stage is to allow students to use their new knowledge and continue to explore its implications.
• Evaluate: Here both students and teachers to determine how much learning and understanding has taken place.