NASA Orion Parachute Test 2017: The Mars Generation Reports

March 9, 2017 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

Photo by NASA

We are thrilled to have had The Mars Generation member Jeff Herold onsite at the NASA 2017 ET and join us as a guest writer.

Please visit our “Get Involved” page to learn more about how you can volunteer and/or join The Mars Generation. Let’s go to Mars!

*** Please note guest submissions are options of the author and do not necessarily reflect the mission or beliefs of The Mars Generation.

Experiencing the Parachute Test

On Tuesday, March 7th, 2017, I drove three hours from Phoenix to Yuma with my friend, Perry the Peregrine (@STEMFalcon). We shared a room for the night and woke up very early on Wednesday to meet Chuck Wullenjohn, Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, and Laura Rochon, NASA Johnson Space Center Public Relations Officer. As a member of the press representing The Mars Generation, I was among other local and regional reporters, including a Canadian group working for the Discovery Channel.

Mr. Wullenjohn briefed our group with some Dos and Don’ts, and even shared how unique the Yuma Proving Ground is due to its size. It is over 1,300 square miles in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and includes a wildlife preserve in the middle of it. What makes the Yuma Proving Ground different from other proving grounds around the world is that the restricted airspace extends all the way to outer space! That means high-altitude tests can be done without interference from commercial aircraft flying overhead.

My first interview was with Dustin Neill, engineer from Lockheed Martin, who was very eager to share his passion for the Orion program and his team’s role in developing and testing the parachute system. He loved answering the questions sent on behalf of The Mars Generation and gave some details on what the parachute systems were made of and how they worked.

Former Navy test pilot and current Commander in the U.S. Navy, Victor Glover is a member of the newest astronaut group for NASA. He was enthusiastic about the Journey to Mars and also answered some questions sent to The Mars Generation. These questions mostly concerned challenges Orion may face during its missions as well as what parachute improvements have been made for Orion over the past few years.

After a couple of test flyovers, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, which is a large military transport aircraft, released the Orion capsule mockup at about 25,000 feet. The capsule reached speeds of about 130 mph, deployed several sets of drogue chutes and the main parachutes, before landing gently on the ground.

I was able to get very close to the capsule and parachutes after the initial check by the recovery team. It was an amazing sight to see the Orion perched on a slight angle with the giant parachutes stretched out in front of it. Dozens of engineers were there to take measurements, collect computer data, and eventually roll up the parachutes to be used for a future test.

This experience was unlike anything I’ve seen before and I am honored to have been representing The Mars Generation on this historic day of the Orion parachute drop test.

Jeff Herold is in his 17th year of teaching. He has taught everything from kindergarten through 12th grade and community college. Currently, he teaches S.T.E.M. to 7th and 8th graders at Hillcrest Middle School in Glendale, Arizona. While not volunteering at local elementary schools at their science nights, he enjoys paragliding, attending professional development, and spending time with his family. His favorite student is his 6th grade son, Skyler.

Jeff is the 2015 Arizona Air Force Association Teacher of the Year and 2015 Arizona Challenger Space Center Educator of the Year. Jeff is a member of The Mars Generation Student Space Ambassador Planning Committee and the Train Like a Martian Planning Committee. You can follow his S.T.E.M. adventures on Twitter @STEMJeff.

Submit Questions: TMG Attends Upcoming Orion Spacecraft Parachute Test

March 5, 2017 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

We are excited to have our STEM advisor, Jeff Herold representing The Mars Generation at NASA’s upcoming Orion Spacecraft parachute test on March 8, 2017. Jeff was able to gain media credentials from NASA through The Mars Generation.

Jeff will get an up close viewing of the test as well as an opportunity to interview engineers, scientists and others involved in NASA’s Journey To Mars. This is a great opportunity to ask your questions and/or have your students submit questions and/or your own kids. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this fun adventure. Tune in for the test on Twitter for live updates follow @TheMarsGen and search the #OrionTMG hashtag. You do not need to be a registered Twitter user to search and follow a hashtag. Share the updates with your students and/or your kids. Click here to submit questions for Jeff.

Here is Jeff’s blog post about this event:

On Wednesday morning, March 8th, at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, I’ll be reporting on the second airdrop test of the Orion Spacecraft with it’s two low-speed drogue parachutes and three main parachutes as it prepares for landing the capsule. About a year ago, I was fortunate enough to visit the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas to see the facility where the parachutes are designed and manufactured. This time, I will be a witness to seeing them in action!

This is an important step on our journey to Mars and I am honored to be representing The Mars Generation at this exciting event. However, I need your help. Before and after the drop test, I will be interviewing NASA scientists and engineers about the parachutes and I want to ask any questions you may have. This is your chance to not only learn about the test, but to be a part of history by asking questions about the parachutes, the Orion capsule, or anything related to our journey
to Mars.

If you have a question you’d like me to ask fill out this form and I’ll take them with me on my trip to Yuma, Arizona on Wednesday. I look forward to asking the representatives from NASA your direct questions. Answers will be found on Twitter. Search the hashtag #OrionTMG

For more information about the drop test event check out the NASA press release about this event.

About Jeff Herold

Jeff Herold is in his 17th year of teaching. He has taught everything from Kindergarten through 12th grade and community college. Currently, he teaches S.T.E.M. to 7th and 8th graders at Hillcrest Middle School in Glendale, Arizona. While not volunteering at local elementary schools at their science nights, he enjoys paragliding, attending professional development, and spending time with his family. His favorite student is his 6th grade son, Skyler.

Press Release: The United Arab Emirates Space Agency Invites 19-Year-Old Founder of The Mars Generation to Tour the Emirates Mars Mission and Space Center

November 30, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

The United Arab Emirates Space Agency Invites the 19-Year-Old Founder of The Mars Generation to Tour the Emirates Mars Mission and Space Center

Hoping to be a member of the first human crew to land on Mars in the 2030’s, an aspiring astronaut and social media darling works with leaders of the UAE to foster interest in STEM and space exploration

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn NOVEMBER 30, 2016 /PRWeb/ Abigail Harrison, also known as Astronaut Abby, American STEM education and space exploration advocate, will meet with leaders of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency and tour the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). Harrison is there specifically to view and experience the Hope Mars Probe program due to launch in 2020.

“It is an honor to be invited to tour the UAE Space Agency and see first-hand the commitment of this agency to the future of space. I am looking forward to gaining a personal view of the upcoming work the UAE is doing in Mars exploration with their Mars Hope Probe and other programs,” said Harrison. “Getting humans to Mars is something that will require collaboration among nations and private industry and I am honored to be a part of helping to share the Emirates Mars Mission with the world while representing my country.”

Touting a social media audience of over 600,000 fans and followers, Harrison is a recognized as a leader in her generation, the Mars generation – identified as the generation expected to first step foot on Mars in 2030.

Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in the field of space exploration and inspiring youth toward a future in STEM and space, the UAE Space Agency has invited the 19-year-old aspiring astronaut to:

Tour the Emirates Mars Mission – the Hope Probe currently in the manufacture stages at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC.
Meet with leaders of the UAE Space Agency and tour the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre.
Tour several UAE universities and meet with students and faculty collaborating with the UAE Space program.
Speak at Project Space January 24-25, 2017. This prominent space industry event brings the finest minds in the space sector to Dubai to share knowledge, ideas, their discoveries, and their hopes for an industry that will define the future of humanity. Renowned planetary scientist and leader of the NASA Cassini imaging science team, Dr. Carolyn Porco and Caltech Professor of Planetary Astronomy, Dr. Michael Brown and many other notable speakers, will join Harrison.
Tour Dubai and see local history and attractions to gain an understanding of the culture and people.

Commenting on the forthcoming visit of Abigail Harrison, Mona Al Qemzi, Assistant Director General at MBRSC, said: “Young people represent an important influence for STEM and space exploration. We are delighted to host a bright, motivated, and inspiring voice of the Mars generation and we look forward to having Abby share her stories with our community and agency.”

To tune into Harrison’s unprecedented UAE tour January 14 – January 26, 2017 follow the hashtag #TMGtoursUAE on Twitter and check out all her social media channels listed on her blog at AstronautAbby.com.

About Abigail Harrison

Harrison is the founder of The Mars Generation nonprofit. Currently a sophomore at Wellesley College in Massachusetts majoring in Astrobiology and Russian, Harrison is positioned to enter a PhD program upon graduation and continue her pursuit of becoming a scientist, astronaut and member of the first human crew to land on Mars in the 2030’s. Supporters around the world follow her journey to becoming an astronaut via the blog Harrison authors at AstronautAbby.org.

About The Mars Generation

The Mars Generation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States. The organization is volunteer-driven with a board of directors that includes astronauts, engineers, scientists and professionals from the nonprofit and business communities. With a reach of more than 10 million people in the organization’s first year of operation and more than 600 students from around the world participating in its Student Space Ambassador program, over 600 donors, 350 members and several space industry sponsors in place, the organization continues to grow and offer programs to excite and educate students and adults about the importance of human space exploration and STEM education.

About the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) was created and established by the Dubai Government in 2015. The Centre is integral to the strategic initiative put in place by the government to inspire scientific innovation, technological advancement, and to advance sustainable development in Dubai and the wider UAE. The Centre is comprised of a team of leading UAE engineers, analysts and experts all working towards positioning the UAE as an internationally renowned leader within the field of science and technology. By developing new technology, expertise, and intellectual property, it is hoped that the UAE can emerge as a global front-runner within the industry.

As part of the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to their space program, the Arab nation plans to send a probe to Mars in 2020. The Emirates Mars Mission – Hope Probe is currently in the manufacture stages at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC). The probe will journey to the Red Planet to study the climate and the reasons behind the deterioration of the Martian atmosphere. The data will then be shared with the global space and scientific communities. The UAE has prioritised the space sector as being one of the key components of its drive towards a sustainable post-oil economy.

About the partnership between NASA and the UAE Space Agency

In June 2016 NASA and the UAE Space Agency formalized cooperation in the exploration of Mars as the first field of collaboration between the agencies by signing an Implementing Arrangement under the Framework. The Implementing Arrangement establishes a joint steering group to guide discussions about potential future projects that contribute to exploring the Red Planet.

Media Contact:
Yvonne Hundshamer
612-670-0337
groundsupport@themarsgeneration.org

The Mars Generation Founder Named 20 Under 20 STEAM Pioneer

November 8, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

We are excited to announce that our founder, Abigail Harrison, has been chosen as one of Ford and Huffington Post’s 20 Under 20 Next Generation of STEAM Pioneers for 2016. Harrison, known online as Astronaut Abby, has been recognized for her outreach work with The Mars Generation and her involvement in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).

It is an honor to lead my generation, the Mars generation, to this new frontier, Mars. I hope to someday be the first person to step foot on the red planet or to inspire the person who does take those first steps. – Abigail Harrison

The Huffington Post teamed up with Ford Motor Company and assembled this list of “the most impressive under-20-year-olds to show you the next generation of the best and brightest innovators.” Among those listed there are inventors, scientists, coders, artists and so many other young leaders. We are thrilled to see such a strong group of leaders included and to have our founder and organization recognized for our work.

Harrison’s work to build our organization, The Mars Generation, has been very successful. As a brand new organization we had a reach of over 10 million people in our first year, have over 600 donors, 350 members, 600 Student Space Ambassadors and continue to grow our Space Camp scholarship program. This work has helped to advance the excitement and understanding of the importance of STEAM education and human space exploration to the future of humanity. As a community we are proud to work with Harrison to accomplish these goals.

I appreciate the recognition from Ford and Huffington Post and want to thank every person who has been a supporter of my work which includes the advisory board, volunteers, donors, members, students who are part of The Mars Generation and the over 600,000 people following my journey to Mars online. It is their support and hard work and dedication that has made this organization such a huge success that continues to change the world. – Abigail Harrison

Please check out the announcement on the Huffington Post website under their What’s Working Inspiration Generation series presented by Ford Motor company and learn about the amazing group of individuals that have been making a name for themselves in STEAM while chasing their dreams before reaching the age of 20.

It’s Back: Announcing the #PotatoChallenge 2016

November 2, 2016 By 1 Comment

It’s that time again. We will be hosting our 2nd annual #PotatoChallenge on November 17.

For those of you who did not participate or hear about our super exciting and fun online event we held for the first time last year – no worries you can click here to see the highlights and also read more below.

The TMG Potato Challenge is a fun collective activity that is designed to see if you have the right stuff to be a Martian for 24 hours! If you take the challenge you will be “stranded” on Mars for 24 hours just like fictional astronaut Mark Watney from The Martian movie. The good news is that being stranded does not take you out of your day-to-day life; it just means you have to live on potatoes and water (and maybe a few extra “earned” perks) for 24 hours.

The basic gist of it its hat you commit to surviving on 10 medium sized potatoes and 16 ounces of water for 24 hours. You can earn additional condiments for your potatoes and other perks by completing special challenges throughout the day and night. As a group we collectively earn things like showers, coffee and eventually coming home from Mars by helping to raise funds for The Mars Generation. Don’t worry we bring in the entire TMG community to contribute to help get us home and some coffee and a shower too!

Why do this?

Besides being a bit crazy and off beat and something fun to do and who doesn’t need a bit of fun to break up the day. Some other reasons to participate include:

Helps get people talking about human space exploration and with that conversation grows awareness
Helps get people talking about Mars exploration and well if you are part of our community you get why we like that!
It builds community. Not only with your friends whom we encourage you to challenge and go for it against them and with them – but it is a worldwide event. People share photos and stories and participate in all the aspects of the challenge mainly on Twitter but also Facebook, Instagram and Google+ too. The idea is to get to know others, talk and have fun. Build community and grow our message of exciting and education people about the importance of STEM education and humans space exploration.
It’s for a good cause. The challenge not only raises awareness, but last year we also raised $7,000 To support our programs (see below for more information). Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 to continue to grow The Mars Generation and support our work.
Prizes – yes we will have prizes again this year.
If that is not enough – then how about because you have now been challenged and who doesn’t like a challenge!

How to Participate in the #PotatoChallenge

To participate, it is pretty simple. All you need is some potatoes and water! Read the Guidelines here.
Sign up here for updates and to be on the official participants list. It is ok. If you don’t participate that is fine but signing up keeps you in the loop and if you do participate it qualifies you for prizes. Be sure to add groundsupport@TheMarsGeneration.org to your email address book to ensure you get our emails (we will only send emails pertaining to Give to Mars Day).
Post on your page that you have taken the #PotatoChallenge and now will be challenge others to join you! Here is a great sample post:

I’m going to prove I have the right stuff like Mark Watney from #TheMartian movie by taking the #PotatoChallenge! Join me: themarsgeneration.org/potato-challenge #GTMD16
If you want to earn additional cool stuff you can setup a personal fundraiser page. You will be helping support sending kids to Space Camp and also have a chance for some cool space swag including TMG logo t-shirts, sweatshirts and more fun stuff! You can ask family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, friends online to help you reach your goal. They support #STEM and space education and also your commitment to participate in the #PotatoChallenge. Their donations also go to help our team earn additional resources for the day like salt, butter, coffee and even a shower. Details to setup a fundraising page are here. and for tips on how to run a personal fundraiser to support a nonprofit click here. Rewards for raising funds are as follows and can also be seen here:
- Raise $50 to receive a special art print titled “Love to Mars”
- Raise $150 receive a TMG logo t-shirt
- Raise $250 receive a TMG logo sweatshirt
- Raise $500 receive a special TMG swag package including all lower level rewards and also a TMG patch, Soyuz Adventure patch, TMG stickers and TMG magnet
- Raise $1000 and receive all lower level prizes plus a black mid-weight TMG patch jacket (this jacket sits at your waist)
Challenge others. It’s more fun when you challenge others to join you!To challenge others post on their FB wall, or tag them on Twitter or email them or whatever you want to do with a message such as:I challenge you @PotatoSarah to support #STEMed & take the #PotatoChallenge with me. You can join me for 24 hours of potato fun or donate to my fundraising page here:Keep challenging others, follow our channels and share share share to get others involved.

How To Win

To “win”, we all need to be “rescued” from Mars and returned to earth. How does this happen? When The Mars Generation reaches its online fundraising goal the rescue team will arrive and take us “home” to earth. And as a prize we all get to have a great big earth prepared meal, without potatoes!

To win for yourself, will require will power and for you to see if you have “the right stuff”. But don’t worry – if you need to break the rules no one will be watching you and this is for fun and charity!

We have lots of prizes to give away through random drawings throughout the day.

You may earn up to 8 entries per hour.

To enter you must be on Twitter and use the #PotatoChallenge hashtag. You will get one entry for every tweet that shows a photo of you participating in the Potato Challenge or has you participating (example: we ask you to share the music you are listening to, so you share a link to a YouTube video –that counts).

You are also entered in the drawings for every tweet that has a call to action to contribute or check out our Give To Mars Day campaign and also has the link to our campaign page. (limit 4 tweets per hour).

Examples include:

I am participating in the #GTMD16 #PotatoChallenge – Donate now and support @TheMarsGen #JourneyToMars https://givemn.org/organization/themarsgeneration

Help me get salt for my potatoes and save me from #Mars! #PotatoChallenge #TheMartian #GTMD16 https://givemn.org/organization/themarsgeneration

It’s for the kids #GTMD16. Support #STEM #PotatoChallenge #JourneyToMars https://givemn.org/organization/themarsgeneration

What will the money be used for?

This funding will go to support TMG’s 3 programs. We have over 600 Student Space Ambassadors signed up, our Future of Space group is 2500+ strong and we are on second year of sending students with financial need to Space Camp USA. You are helping to grow this organization and empower young people and adults to change the world.

To learn the rules of the challenge click here. To sign up click here. We look forward to you joining us! Thank you!

PRESS RELEASE: The Mars Generation Opens Applications For 2017 Full Paid Space Camp Scholarships

October 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN OCTOBER 19, 2016

The Mars Generation Opens Applications For 2017 Space Camp Scholarships

Beginning today, The Mars Generation (TMG) is pleased to announce that the organization is now taking applications to select students who will receive full-paid scholarships (transportation included) to Space Camp located in Huntsville, Alabama for summer of 2017. This is the second year that The Mars Generation will offer full paid scholarships to Space Camp.

The application process consists of students filling out an application which includes an outreach project proposal. Students will submit their proposal for an outreach project that they will complete after attending Space Camp with the goal of spreading what they have learned to their own communities. Students must find a teacher to serve as a mentor throughout the project period. The deadline for student applications is January 15, 2017.

Space Camp Scholarship qualifications include:

Being ages 15-17 as of July 1, 2017
Showing an interest and aptitude in STEM subjects
Having satisfactory academic standing
Demonstrating financial need – determined by student being at or below the income guidelines for free lunch set in the USDA free lunch program. Student/parents will need to show income verification either through qualification of USDA free lunch verification or tax returns.
Must live in the continental U.S. (Lower 48 states)
Having parent permission
Having never attended Space Camp
Must join the TMG Student Space Ambassador Program

The Mars Generation Space Camp Scholarship program is a unique program offering support beyond the estimated $2,000 for tuition and transportation fees to attend the camp. To prepare TMG Scholars for the awe-inspiring experience of attending Space Camp, they will be mentored as a cohort by students who have previously attended Space Camp and are now TMG Space Ambassadors. Additionally, TMG will engage parent liaisons who will be available to answer questions and provide guidance to scholars’ parents.

“It is exciting to be able to award full-paid scholarships to Space Camp for the second year in a row” said Nicole Harrison, Executive Director of The Mars Generation. “We are so thankful for the wonderful online community, official sponsors and private donors who have made these scholarships possible, and we look forward to what the future will bring as this nonprofit matures.”

The Mars Generation serves as a catalyst to identify students with an interest in STEM and nurture their study in STEM education through outreach and scholarship programs. Through programs like the Space Camp Scholarship program, The Mars Generation fulfills its mission as a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing and inspiring tomorrow’s explorers today. By energizing young people with excitement for space and STEM, TMG is educating youth and adults about the importance of deep space exploration to humankind.

For TMG Space Camp Scholarship Application information click here.

For more information about Space Camp USA go to spacecamp.com

For questions and interviews, contact Yvonne Hundshamer at groundsupport@themarsgeneration.org

To sign up for future space camp scholarship updates please click here.

Join Us As We Celebrate One Year in Orbit

September 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment

Guess what? It’s our one year birthday and we are celebrating and invite you to join us! We will be celebrating through December in many different ways including our annual Potato Challenge which will have a birthday twist, engaging our Student Space Ambassadors in a special celebration event and we have a special founding member birthday package.

We have created a special birthday founding membership swag package that will be available only through November 1, 2016. Founding members get a cool laminated membership card indicating they are founding members and all the bragging rights that go with being here from day 1 to help with the foundation of building a sustainable organization that is changing the world. The birthday package also includes:

TMG t-shirt
TMG magnet
TMG patch
TMG stickers
Astronaut Abby autographed photo

This package will be delivered by the end of November. Besides buying yourself a membership you can also gift a membership to the space and science lovers in your life.

We have accomplished great things this first year in orbit. Here are some stats on what we have done:

2 Unique and fun, one of a kind annual online events have been launched with other 400 participants.
10 kids with limited financial resources went to Space Camp this past summer through TMG scholarships. Our scholarships provided camp tuition, transportation and a lot of learning and fun!
Over 200 people have signed up in the past month as founding members to kick off our membership program.
Over 500 people have donated to support our work.
Over 600 students have joined and participated in our Student Space Ambassador Leadership program.
TMG has Over 30,000 fans and followers with over 600,000 including our founder Astronaut Abby
Over 200,000 people have visited the TMG and Astronaut Abby websites
Over 10 million people have been reached with our messages of why stem and human space exploration are essential to our future. This includes website, social media, PR and traditional media too.

Press Release: Ten Full Scholarships Awarded to Students for A Week at Space Camp

July 13, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

The first TMG scholars meet Astronaut Abby and TMG Executive Director Nicole Harrison.

The Mars Generation Awards Ten Young People Full Scholarships for A Week at Space Camp

Less than a year after its inception, The Mars Generation (TMG) is excited to announce ten students will represent The Mars Generation at Space Camp® this summer.

“It’s really through the amazing efforts of TMG volunteers, individual donors and our generous sponsors that we have guaranteed spots for ten young people this summer,” explained TMG Executive Director Nicole Harrison.

This year’s scholarship recipients are between the ages of 13 and 16 and represent communities all across the United States. Harrison said that each student participated in a rigorous application process, including a recommendation from a teacher or advisor. “Our Space Camp attendees have demonstrated not only a passion for space exploration, but a willingness to work hard academically,” said Harrison. TMG’s unique scholarships cover all expenses including transportation, flight suits and even spending money. TMG scholarships are meant to help eliminate some of the barriers facing students and families living in poverty who might not otherwise consider a camp like Space Camp.

Along with the ten U.S. scholarships, TMG announced the nonprofit’s first international chapter is providing two students and one teacher with scholarships to attend Space Camp. Harrison expects the Colombian chapter will serve as a model for additional international chapters to join The Mars Generation.

To celebrate this achievement, TMG Founder Abigail Harrison – Astronaut Abby, along with TMG’s executive director Nicole Harrison, TMG board members retired astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger, Microgravity Scientist Penny Pettigrew and Space Historian Robert Pearlman, will be in attendance at the Space Camp Summerfest, July 14-16, 2016. TMG representatives will be joined by the scholarship recipients at the Alumni Town Hall Brunch, Saturday morning.

“I am delighted to join this year’s scholarship recipients at Space Camp, where it all began for me, personally,” said Abigail Harrison – Astronaut Abby. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it certainly changed my own life, forever,” she said. “I expect it will have an equally profound impact on these ten young people.”

Space Camp Summerfest is an annual event designed to bring together both space camp alumnae and space enthusiasts who would like an opportunity to experience the fun and learning at Space Camp. The events range from astronaut training simulations to a concert under the shuttle and offers a something for people of all ages and backgrounds. All proceeds go to support the Space Camp Alumni Scholarship fund. The Mars Generation is a partner organization with the Space Camp Alumni Foundation.

More about The Mars Generation: The Mars Generation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing and inspiring tomorrow’s explorers today while also supporting advocacy for NASA’s Journey to Mars with a broad community of space enthusiasts and ambassadors. Each generous donation is an investment in building The Mars Generation and strengthening our future by inspiring the youth of today to be leaders tomorrow.

One week at Space Camp® in Huntsville, Ala. changed Abigail “Astronaut Abby” Harrison’s life at age 11, she set out on a mission, not only to become an astronaut and possibly be one of the first people to set foot on mars, but to inspire and excite others about the importance of human space exploration and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education.

At 18 years old, Astronaut Abby, founded The Mars Generation (TMG), an organization designed to meet this goal through three programs: the Future of Space, an online outreach community to empower space enthusiasts to share their passion for space; the Student Space Ambassadors, a mentorship program for people ages 13-24 to foster excitement about space exploration within their own communities; and the Space Camp Scholarship program, which provides kids with an aptitude for STEM and a demonstrated financial need complete scholarships (including airfare) to attend Space Camp®.

Find out more: http://themarsgeneration.org/

For media inquires call Nicole Harrison: 612-670-0337 or email nicole (at) themarsgeneration (dot) org

TMG Student Space Ambassador Invited to White House Women’s Summit

June 16, 2016 By socialnicole Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: LaTonja Richardson

One of our Student Space Ambassadors (SSA) is well on her way to achieving her life dream of becoming the first African-American person on Mars. This week, TMG SSA Taylor Richardson added to her list of accomplishments attending the White House United State of Women Summit in Washington, DC that occurred on June 18. The summit focused on gender equality issues, centering on six distinct topics including: economic empowerment and health and wellness. The event features speakers like President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as leaders like Oprah, U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi, astronaut Christina Koch, Amy Poehler, Shonda Rhimes, and Kerry Washington, just to name a few.

Meet Student Space Ambassador Taylor Richardson

At just 12 years old, Taylor is already making a difference with her life. She is an honors student, a triathlete, a Girl Scout, and more. Taylor started a book drive in her local community of Jacksonville, Florida, through which she has collected 3,000 new and gently used books for kids between the ages of 3 and 13. She was one of the youngest students ever accepted to Space Camp. Her passion for exploration was inspired by astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, who Taylor had the opportunity to meet earlier this month.

Taylor is exactly the type of student we love to have as part of our ambassador program. Her passion for space and dedication to hard work exemplifies what it takes to lead in this industry. As Taylor’s role model Dr. Jemison said, “Make your place at the table and be a voice. Don’t just sit at the table, be heard.”

We are so proud to have Taylor working with our organization. Congratulations on your invitation to the summit! We can’t wait to see what Taylor does in the future.

NASA Awards Grants to Two Universities for STEM Education Programs

June 7, 2016 By groundcontrol Leave a Comment

June 6, 2016

NASA PRESS RELASE

NASA Awards Grants to Two Universities for STEM Education Programs

NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) has selected two minority serving institutions for cooperative agreement awards totaling approximately $1 million to help strengthen science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curricula at the schools.

Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, and New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn, will receive as much as $500,000 each.

The MUREP Other Opportunities solicitation challenged schools to propose innovative ways to create and implement STEM activities, with a goal of increasing the number of historically underserved students studying STEM fields relevant to NASA’s diverse exploration missions.

“NASA’s MUREP program helps colleges and universities give students from underrepresented and underserved communities a strong foundation in STEM fields, which in turn helps create a strong STEM workforce,” said Donald James, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of Education.

Through MUREP’s competitive awards, NASA provides financial assistance to minority serving institutions, including historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, American Indian and Alaskan Native serving institutions, predominantly black institutions and other minority serving institutions and eligible community colleges. These institutions recruit and retain underrepresented and underserved students, including women, girls, veterans and persons with disabilities, into STEM fields.

For more information on the award process, visit:

http://nspires.nasaprs.com

For more information on NASA’s education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education