Welcome to the year 2060
Space is becoming ever more popular. Frontier colonies already exist on the surface of MARS and THE MOON.
BOLD EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS have been coming to Mars to work on mining, scientific research and low-gravity manufacturing. Supported by regular shipments from Earth, small communities are starting to thrive.
It is time to establish a larger SETTLEMENT for more residents from Earth...
The Challenge
Create a mini-guide for a settlement on Mars, persuading people from Earth to become first-settlers and make their home in the new, larger settlement.
Design the settlement to accommodate an initial population of 1000, including 100 children, allowing room for future growth.
- Provide a map of your settlement. Label your map with key landmarks and features, including:
- places that residents can visit
- where food, water and waste will be managed
- how people and supplies will come in and out of the settlement
Consider what more a settlement needs to support residents.
- Show residents:
- floor plans of the residential buildings
- how energy is generated for the settlement
- transport to move around the settlement
- Give your settlement its own identity.
- Name your settlement and choose a slogan
- Design its flag and mission patch (that is sewn onto spacesuits)
Consider how else you could make your settlement more appealing to prospective residents.
Imagine there are no limitations on resources. We want to see your creative and innovative ideas to appeal to residents - be as bold as you can within realism. What makes your settlement unique from others in the Solar System?
How to Enter
The competition is open to Key Stages 2 and 3. You can enter as an individual or as a team of up to four.
Your guide brochure can be up to 4 sides of A4, including any cover pages. Create them however you like: on paper (which you then photograph or scan) or on computer. All entries must be submitted to us as a PDF document so we can share them with the judging panel.
Please register here, so that we know you are interested in participating.
The final deadline was 5pm on 11th November 2020
This privacy notice sets out the standards that you can expect from the Galactic Challenge when handling your personal information.
What is the judging criteria?
Your project will be reviewed by a judging panel who have backgrounds in science, engineering and space exploration. The judging criteria includes these three categories.
Science
Entries that are based on real scientific principles
Creativity
Entries that are new, interesting and innovative
Communication
Entries that would persuade us to visit your settlement
Grand Winners
Best of Key Stage 2 (Individual)
Primis by Ryan
This entry really impressed us with its vibrant and detailed diagrams, covering all aspects of life on Mars. On top of that, we saw an excellent use of scientific principles to explain geothermal power and oxygen recycling.
Best of Key Stage 2 (Group)
Starlight Galaxy by Sadie, Honor, Emily & Holly
We loved that this entry presented a vibrant townscape, and was really well written as a brochure. Using straightforward language and an energetic tone, this entry told settlers everything they need to know about their new home. The cool flag and mission patch were the icing on the cake.
Best of Key Stage 3 (Individual)
Genesis-i3 by Ollie
Eye-catching diagrams really set this entry apart - we loved the consistent artistic style used for the design of the overall settlement and everything within, reminiscent of a spider's web. The information was presented in a very logical order, with great use of keys and icons to link different diagrams together.
Best of Key Stage 3 (Group)
Hestia by Kaivalya, Pratyush, Oscar & Sean
This entry was crammed full of scientific detail and excellent ideas. We especially liked the idea of a pneumatic transportation system, well suited to the lower gravity and dusty environment of Mars. To top it off, the students went to great lengths to build a distinct identity for the settlement, with consistent branding, a defined currency, and a unique system of "Hexaports" for moving goods and people.
Special Mentions
The Science Award
Project Hestia by Shamrutha Shree, Kavya & Mokshitha
Project Hestia astonished us with the amount of scientific detail; the authors showed an excellent understanding of scientific and technical principles, and also did a fantastic job of conveying their knowledge to us with clear diagrams. We especially loved the thought that went into locating the settlement in an underground lava tube, and the justification for placing it near Hellas Basin and the South Pole of Mars.
The Creativity Award
Exio by Archana, Yaana & Ajetta
This brochure for Exio really stood out to us for the creativity and presentation of the design. Eye-catching colours, fonts and images were the warmup for some excellent artwork illustrating the settlement. We love the idea of having several cities, each with their own identity and adorable animal mascot.
The Communication Award
Mission Ares - Colony Genesis by Tejaswi
Clear, concise and persuasive communication is key to enticing people to make their home on Mars. Starting with a convincing and lively pitch, and progressing through all aspects of residents' daily lives, Mission Ares really did a great job of communicating its message to us. The realistic CAD models also helped to visualise how the settlement works.
Gold Awards
by Blake
by Veronique
by Vibusha & Diya
by Gael
by Kian
by Ivy
by Sanjiv
by Amogh & Srithan
by Shrkar
by Samuel, Nina, Bruno & Innes
by Pranit
by Seth, Amelie & Meisa
by Jiya, Nitya, Asmita & Aashrita
by Pranav
by Akshaj
Silver Awards
by Shashank
by Ali & Adam
by Platon, Tom & Carter
by Shahrukh
by Arpan & Kaustubh
by Srutiga
by Kate
by Manasvi & Riya
by Millie
by Aarush, Abhiram, Vedant & Shreyash
by Mylah, Anna & Alexandra
by Lyra
by Hari
by Mehreen & Ashna
by Oscar
by Roxolana, Nathan & Arnav
by William
by Yathoosan
by Penny & Russell
by Arfia, Samya, Ashvini & Harini
by Adya
by Riziha
by Lachlan
by Shreyas, Rayan & Zaki
by Simon
by Diego & Joseph
by Ahsan
by Michae-Tae
by Adam & Hayley
by Shormista
by Raien & Poppy
by Aleisha
Bronze Awards
by Thomas, Keir & Luke
by Byron
by Ananth
by Mabel & Yael
by Kashvi, Eshani & Ishita
by Casey, Kaylynn & Jemima
by Josiah & William
by Noah
by Yathra & Navani
by Riya & Praanvi
by Layla, Aoife, Ellen & Angel
by Toby, Alasdair, Harry & Toby
by Oliver
by Eleanor, Hoda & Caya
by Finlay
by Nayan
by Amélie
by Simon
by Angad & Ria
by Hari
by Finley
by Mack, Max, Harry & Charles
by Adam & Ali
by Oscar, Charlie & Oliver
by Avkash
by Ameli, Naia & Kiya
by Rose, Flo, Tabbie & Emilia
by Ruby
by Aaron, Spencer & William
by Parv
by Inés
by Merci, Shamiso & Amy
by Harry & Dylan
by Daniel & Emily
by Zoe
by Ellis, Harrison & Theo
by Daniel, Herbie & Scot
by George, Dominic & Isaac
by Vaibhav
by Zoe
by Anders
by Nathan
by Amira-Jade & Rumaysa
by Phoebe
by Morgan
by Ben & Dylan
by Sara
by Ellis & Tylah
by Pierce & Rohan
by Myrto & Romanos
by Bintou, Francesca & Godis
by Jake
by Andrea