Education


Lockheed Martin Brings Generation Beyond Mars Bus Experience to Space Foundation Discovery Center

Written by: developer

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?

More than 70 fourth graders from Woodmen-Roberts Elementary School in Colorado Springs will visit the Discovery Center on Aug. 31, and have the opportunity to experience the bus, which will also be available free to the public from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 31.

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.

In 2015, a $400,000 grant from Lockheed Martin Corporation established the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center at the Space Foundation Discovery Center.

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 Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is the Pikes Peak region’s only space, science and technology attraction. It includes El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. Visit the Discovery Center at 4425 Arrowswest Drive in Colorado Springs, 719.576.8000. See admission fees, hours and other information here.

This article is part of Space Watch: September 2016 (Volume: 15, Issue: 9).


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