Space Foundation Press Releases
Lockheed Martin Launches Generation Beyond Mars Experience Tour
Written by: developer
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 24, 2016) – The Space Foundation and Lockheed Martin invite Colorado news media and the public to take a trip to Mars on the first virtual reality vehicle designed to inspire the next generation of students to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Lockheed Martin is bringing its Generation Beyond Mars Experience Bus to the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs for one day on Aug. 31. The Discovery Center is home to the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center, and the destination for school STEM field trips from across Colorado.
The bus uses mobile virtual reality to show students what it’s like to drive on the Mars surface. Lockheed Martin’s Generation Beyond program is designed to prepare students for NASA’s planned missions to Mars in the 2030s. The program includes a classroom-based curriculum that uses space exploration to inspire students to pursue STEM careers. The world’s first crew to Mars is likely in school right now. Wouldn’t it be great if local students were part of that mission?
WHAT: Media and the public are invited to a 15-minute Mars virtual reality bus experience. Note: the bus will not travel, and will remain parked at the Discovery Center for this demonstration.
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Space Foundation Discovery Center, 4425 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80907
WHY: The Space Foundation and Lockheed Martin share an interest in STEM education and building a skilled workforce for the future. Economists project there could be 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs by 2018. In order to make it to Mars, and further into deep space, we must have the skilled workforce to get the job done.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Access to program resources + Virtual Field Trip signup and video challenge information is available at: www.generationbeyondinschool.com/
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, in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a Washington, D.C., office and field representatives in Houston and the Florida Space Coast. It publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.