“Mars, Rovers & Robots” Begins at the Discovery Center July 8

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 2, 2014) — One of the most popular themes from last year’s Summer of Discovery returns this month — “Mars, Rovers and Robots” will be reprised at the Discovery Center for two weeks beginning Tuesday, July 8.

Try your hand at maneuvering underwater robots, build a Mars habitat, see robotic and hovercraft demonstrations and, on July 12, eat free chili and meet your favorite “Stormtrooper.”

Saturday’s activities on July 12 will also feature a special astronomy-themed SphereCast with ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i on the Discovery Center’s Science On a Sphere® at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Most of the activities for the first week below are included in the price of daily admission.

July 8 – 11, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Free surprise for the first 25 paid children admitted each day (age 4-17 only, includes Discovery Passport holders)
• Operate a Water Robot
• Hovercraft and UAV Demonstrations
• Build a Mars Habitat
• Mars Lander Design Challenge, 11:00 a.m., 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
• Mars Movie Fest, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Science On a Sphere® Presentations (every 30 minutes)
• Mars, Rovers & Robots-themed Crafts and Activities
• Build a Mars RC Rover ($18 additional fee), 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 12, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Free surprise for the first 100 paid children admitted on Saturday (age 4-17 only, includes Discovery Passport holders)
• Free Wendy’s Chili and meet “Wendy,” starting at 11:00 a.m.
• Cool Science® Interactive Demonstrations, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• SphereCast with ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i – “”From Mauna Kea to Mars” – 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
• Robotics Club Demonstrations
• Operate a Water Robot
• Hovercraft and UAV Demonstrations
• Build and take a Mars RC Rover ($18 additional fee) – 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
• Build a Mars Habitat
• Mars Lander Design Challenge, 11:00 a.m., 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.
• Mars Movie Fest, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Science On a Sphere® Presentations (every 30 minutes)
• Mars, Rovers & Robots-themed Crafts and Activities
• Treats for purchase:OohWeeAnaya Ice Cream Treats, noon – 4:00 p.m.

Please see our website for further details at www.spacefoundation.org/events/summer-discovery. Activities are subject to change.

Thank you to our Summer of Discovery sponsors: ATK; Allegra; BKD, LLP; Ent Federal Credit Union; Mido; OneTouchPoint — Mountain States; SpaceUnited; Wells Fargo and Wendy’s

Other Summer of Discovery weeks include:

• Mars, Rovers & Robots, week two, July 15 – 19
• Rocketry, July 22 – 26, July 29 – Aug. 2
• A Taste of Space Technology, Aug. 5 – 9, Aug. 12 – 16

About the Space Foundation Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is located in Colorado Springs, just off of Garden of the Gods Road at 4425 Arrowswest Drive, and is the region’s first and only space, science and technology attraction. The Discovery Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening events. The Discovery Center is closed on Sunday and Monday and on holidays.

Discovery Center daily admission fees are $10 for adults, $7.50 for seniors (age 65+), $7.50 for college students with I.D., $4.50 for children ages 4-17. Children age three years and younger are admitted free. Military fees are $5.00 for adults with I.D., and $4.00 for military children ages 4-17 with I.D. Military includes active duty, guard, reserve or retiree with I.D.

For information, call 719.576.8000 or visit www.spacefoundation.org/museum.

Discovery Passport
Unlimited admission to the Discovery Center is now available with a Discovery Passport. Family, Individual and Student Passports may be purchased online and are good for 12 months from the date of purchase. Passports may be used for admission to Summer of Discovery (but not for extra-fee activities). Member benefits include a 10 percent discount on Discovery Center Store merchandise and members-only sneak previews of new exhibits. Learn more by visiting www.spacefoundation.org/events/summer-discovery-2014.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, all in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” Space Foundation world headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., features a public Discovery Center including the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®, and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums. The Space Foundation has a field office in Houston, and from its Washington, D.C., office, conducts government affairs, publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indexes that track daily U.S. stock market performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification^TM 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. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.