GRC NEWS RELEASE 00-004 00-004 For Release: February 7, 2000 Barbara Kakiris Media Relations Office (216) 433-2513 barbara.l.kakiris@grc.nasa.gov Lori J. Rachul Media Relations Office (216) 433-8806 lori.j.rachul@grc.nasa.gov

WANTED: Students to Plan Future Mars Community

Area youths are invited to become part of the excitement happening nationwide in chartering a course for the future when people might have a permanent home on Mars. Kindergarten through high school students in classrooms and youth groups can participate in the Mars Millennium Project, an official White House Millennium Council Youth Initiative that encourages youngsters to investigate the best of the past and present, and apply what they learn to design a community of 100 people arriving on Mars in the year 2030. NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH and its Office of Educational Programs will collaborate with schools, planetariums, museums and other educational organizations to support the Mars Millennium Project in Glenn’s six-state region—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin—by hosting various activities. For example, Glenn scientists who have contributed to Mars missions will answer students’ questions during "Ask a Scientist" web chats. The Mars Millennium Project is an interdisciplinary project where students work as teams to gain an understanding of relationships between science, technology, art, history, culture and tradition by planning for the future Mars community. Students are asked to collaborate with educators, community leaders and professionals to apply what they learn to very futuristic ideas about what a Mars community should look like based on science, technology and a high quality of life. Glenn’s Mars Millennium Project website showcases a wealth of Mars information including educational resource materials, images, fact sheets and distance learning opportunities. Additionally, participants may register online at or by faxing their information to (216) 433-3344. For further information, the MMP website may be accessed at http://www.mars2030.net # # # -end-