Grade 3: Rover and Out
In Lower School Science with Ms. Elise De Geus, third graders are studying space and how scientists explore planets beyond Earth. As part of this unit, students focused on Mars, learning how rovers are designed and programmed to travel across the planet’s surface and collect information.
To apply this learning, students worked on a LEGO-based Mars rover coding project. Working in small groups, students began by meeting to plan their approach and assign roles. Each team included a project manager, engineers, and a coder. The project manager gathered supplies, kept the group on task, and helped the team work through challenges. Engineers read and interpreted the building instructions, while the coder programmed the rover’s movements using LEGO technology.
Before building, groups created a team contract that outlined how they would share responsibilities, solve problems, and respond when frustrations arose. Students then built and programmed their LEGO Mars rovers, testing and refining their designs throughout the process.
Through this project, third graders practiced collaboration, problem-solving, and perseverance while deepening their understanding of space exploration and the role coding and engineering play in scientific discovery.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
