Donation Funds Robots for Space Foundation Education Lab

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 15, 2010) — A corporate donation is the first step in establishing a new lab at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute in Colorado Springs. The donation, referred to as the “Honeywell Mars Robotic Experience,” provides robots for a future simulated Martian terrain mission laboratory incorporating student-designed-and-built robots.

“The idea behind this lab is to have students build and learn how to program robots to complete specific missions,” said Space Foundation Director – Education Bryan DeBates. “What makes this experience unique is the Mars Yard in the lab, enabling students to operate their robots as if they were operating robots on the actual red planet. We appreciate the donation from Honeywell that made this possible.”

The Space Foundation Discovery Institute opened in 2009 in Colorado Springs and provides space-themed professional development, training and support for teachers and students from around the world. It serves as the base location for the Space Foundation’s education programs and houses classrooms, an Educator Resource Center and the AGI Space Missions Simulator.

The Martian terrain mission lab is scheduled to open in 2011 and will be available to students at the adjacent Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy and to other schools as well.

“We thank Honeywell for providing the ‘Honeywell Mars Robotic Experience’ and for helping us to excite students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),” said Space Foundation Vice President – Education Iain Probert.

“Honeywell is honored to be part of an education project that provides hands-on realism, with a dream. Simulation of the Mars experience will fuel student’s imagination within technical and engineering fields,” said Mark Clark, satellite control network contract systems engineering division manager for Honeywell in Colorado Springs.

Honeywell’s contribution is part of Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s community outreach and giving initiative. Honeywell Hometown Solutions focuses the company’s giving and community involvement in five areas: science and math education, housing and shelter, family safety and security, habitat and conservation, and humanitarian relief.

Supporting Space Foundation STEM Education
To inquire about supporting Space Foundation education programs, please contact Margo Hatton, manager development and education partnerships, at 719.576.8000 or [email protected]. 

About the Space Foundation
The Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit organization and the foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry – civil, commercial, military and intelligence. Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom, and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” An expert in all aspects of the global space industry, the Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indices that track daily performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.

Pictured: Mark Clark (left) and Patrick Landry, of Honeywell, uncover the new sign at the entrance to the Honeywell Mars Robotic Experience at the Space Foundation Discovery Institute in Colorado Springs. The Honeywell donation is the first step in establishing a future simulated Martian terrain mission laboratory incorporating student-designed-and-built robots.