Students learned to build rovers, design a Mars habitat, filter water and pack for a mission to Mars during a three-day international summit at Space Center Houston June 15-17. (Photo Space Center Houston)
Students from around the world converged on the Bay Area in June to create a sustainable Mars community at the Mars Together Global Summit at Space Center Houston. The international education project partners Space Center Houston with two leading science centers.
“It’s important for youth to understand global issues and learn how they can make a significant impact in a future career, said Daniel Newmyer, Space Center Houston education director. “The summit unites students for a cross-cultural exchange and encourages them to use leadership, creative-thinking and problem-solving skills while solving the complex challenges of space exploration.”
The three-day conference brought together more than 180 high-school students from the United States, Singapore and France for a fun, hands-on educational summit empowering youth with 21st century skills. Students learned about portable water solutions, renewable energy and the nutrition needed to develop a sustainable community on the red planet. They built a thermal shield, designed a Mars habitat, filter water and pack for a mission to Mars.
The summit is the culmination of a prestigious six-month U.S. Department of State grant that partners Space Center Houston with Cite de l’espace in France and Science Centre Singapore. The grant funded a future-looking initiative focused on teaching youth about space science, technology and global citizenship. It engaged youth to think about a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“The collaboration between Space Center Houston, Cite de l’espace, and Science Centre Singapore offers an opportunity for youth of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities to come together based solely on their common interests of space and science,” said Christophe Chaffardon, Cité de l’espace head of education.
Students from greater Houston have traveled to Singapore and Toulouse to meet their international partners and tour the science centers. Throughout the year, all the students participated in space and science webinars and experienced a cross-cultural exchange.
Mars Together, a Museums Connect project, is made possible by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the American Alliance of Museums.
