The #2MartianTeachers (Amanda Green and Julie Arsenault) plan to foster student engagement in understanding the need for sustainable agriculture and energy use by using traditional Indigenous wisdom as a backbone for investigations surrounding living and working in space. We have been working together across school divisions for many years and we are passionate about bringing real-world, authentic experiences to life for our students. We often use space exploration as the spark that ignites their enthusiasm for learning because it is a topic that unlocks feelings of wonder for the world (and universe) around us. Framing curricular tasks from the angle of embarking on journeys to the International Space Station, the Moon and Mars help kindle students’ interest and curiosity. 

Of course, we must be able and willing to take care of our own planet while also exploring other worlds - this is the real magic behind exploring space! When students study and learn about how challenging it is for humans to survive off of planet Earth, they gain more appreciation for the world we live in now. In addition to looking ahead to what the future holds, we also feel it is crucial to learn from historical practices, which is why this project includes a large component exploring Indigenous ways of knowing when it comes to land literacy and medicine. We will work with students, Indigenous elders and members of the space exploration community (engineers, astronauts, etc) to develop sustainable practices for producing food and medicine. 

Students will compare Indigenous companion planting methods to more colonial monocultures in Earth and simulated Martian and Lunar regolith. They will learn about plants that can be used as medicines and explore how hydroponic gardening can conserve energy and resources. Within the hydroponic framework, students will experiment with determining whether they can use companion planting methods to increase yields in a more modern garden. Finally, students will learn to program and build automated greenhouse systems to help further conserve the minimal resources that will be available in space, while fostering an appreciation for what we have here on Earth. The project will also include at least one land-based literacy field trip that will include indigenous landmarks and a campfire talk with an Indigenous elder.