The Mars Society’s 2013 STEM Education Event
Mars and serve as their main base
for months of exploration in the
harsh Martian environment. Such
a habitat represents a key element
in current human Mars mission
planning.
STEM Education & Outreach
The
Mars
Society
recently
established an Education Task Force
in order to reach out to teachers,
students and Mars enthusiasts
in general. The intended goal is
to bring a comprehensive Mars
curriculum to the general public,
as well as hosting STEM activities
and events that are based on the
Mars Society’s mission: Human
exploration and settlement of the
planet Mars. Humans are going to
Mars. When we do it, it is important
that everyone will understand our
new home.
Nicole Willett is the Education
Director for The Mars Society. Along
with Deputy Director of Education,
Chuck McMurray, the education
website is maintained and updated
regularly. This website includes a
bi-weekly blog, the Red Planet
Pen, news and updates, links for
teachers and students, a video
library, a reading list, and much
more. Part of our outreach includes
hosting events in person or via the
internet. If you would like to have a
personalized event at your school
or organization please contact us.
The Mars Society Convention
The
Mars
Society
held
its 16th Annual International Mars
Society Convention on the campus
of the University of Colorado in
Boulder from August 15-18, 2013.
The annual four-day
event consisted of
key experts, scientists,
journalists and policymakers to discuss the
latest news on Mars
exploration and efforts
to promote a humansto-Mars mission in the
coming years.
Many
notable
speakers gave presentations, including Dr.
Robert Zubrin, President
and Founder of the
Mars Society, Dennis
Tito, Inspiration Mars,
Dr. Mark Geyer, NASA’s
Orion mission, and our
keynote speaker Dr.
2013 Mars Pioneer Award recipient and convention banquet Steve Squyres, Mars
Exploration Rover Prinkeynote speaker Dr. Steve Squyres.
cipal Investigator.
STEM Education Event
Because the Mars Society
is dedicated to the human
exploration and settlement of
Mars, we promote educational
outreach in STEM subjects. At the
convention in Boulder, we hosted
a special 2013 STEM Education
Event. The one day program was
free of charge for children through
the age of 18. Participating children
were also welcome to attend other
lectures and discussions during the
international convention.
The 2013 STEM Education Event
included a variety of interactive
activities, presentations, and special
guest speakers for the children.
Chris Nie from CUSEDS hosted
interactive programs, such as alkaseltzer rockets to Mars, making Mars
craters, digging for a Martian fossil,
yummy Mars-mallows and others.
The Mars Foundation was on hand
to give a 3-D printing demonstration
on how we could build habitats on
the Red Planet in the near future.
Deputy Director, Chuck McMurray
launched
the
Youth
Rover
Challenge to the public. Also, Mars
Society President, Dr. Robert Zubrin,
addressed the audience about the
importance of Mars education.
Please visit marssociety.org for
more information or volunteer
opportunities.
Visit
the
Mars
Society’s YouTube Channel to
watch all of the plenary talks and
keynote speaker, Dr. Steve Squyres,
from the 16th Annual Mars Society
Convention. If you would like to
get involved with STEM outreach
for the Mars Society, contact
[email protected].
27
www.RocketSTEM.org 27