As the 1996 NASA Academy (SAIV) Research Associates (RAs) sat in Dr. Soffen's house the first night, the motivation of the newly arrived members was clear. Words such as education and outreach floated around the room accompanied by passionate outbursts concerning the future and direction of NASA and the space program. Dr. Soffen spoke about the group project and suggested the 20th Anniversary of the Viking landing on Mars as a possible venue. After over a week of deliberation, the SAIV members determined that a Mars display at the conference scheduled in celebration of the Viking landing was appropriate for their outreach and education goals. This display would illustrate the past, present, and future of Mars exploration. With only five weeks before the conference, the RAs organized teams and began work. As this work began, the idea crystallized and grew, taking on a new dimension at each step. With each new dimension the involvement and commitment of the RAs deepened until the project included the Mars display, an interactive computer display, a memorabilia display, a video produced by the RAs, participation in the simulation of a futuristic Mars mission, and the development and execution of a Red Rover Mars base.
The Mars display, informally known as the Mars poster, is approximately 8 feet tall by 16 feet wide. It covers the majority of two pop up stands and displays the mythological beginnings of the Mars fascination, the history of Mars exploration, ongoing Mars exploration, and possible avenues of future Mars exploration. The RAs researched the Red Planet from its origin to the possibility of life, collected graphics, wrote and edited text, and designed the layout. The poster, displayed at the National Academy of Sciences during the Mars conference, allowed conference participants from around the country to learn about Mars and reminisce about the past. NASA Academy members were on hand as science facilitators to explain the science and technology associated with the exploration of Mars. The poster has also been displayed on Capitol Hill during a Mars briefing, at NASA Headquarters during the press conference announcing the possibility of life on Mars, the Maryland Science Center, the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), and the National Space Grant Directors Meeting. Plans are currently underway to display the poster around the country beginning with the Virginia Air and Space Center.
The interactive computer display was also an integral component of the SAIV group project. Computers located in the lobby of the National Academy of Sciences during the Mars conference allowed the conference attendees to learn about Mars during breaks. NASA Academy members once again acted as staff to demonstrate and educate the users. The information included on the computers was compiled from other web sources and written by the RAs. This information is currently housed by SAIV members with continued plans for an on-line version.
A public outreach video was also viewed during the Mars conference at the National Academy of Sciences. This video was jointly produced by RAs at the GSFC NASA Academy and the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) NASA Academy in an effort to enhance communication and cooperation between the two Academies. The two teams interviewed the public to determine their feelings about Mars and its exploration. Footage was sent to MSFC for compilation with final editing occurring at GSFC. Two videos ran continuously in the National Academy of Sciences lobby during the conference.
Another piece of the SAIV group project was participation in a public outreach production of a futuristic Mars mission. Scheduled at the conclusion of the Mars conference, the audience included local school children and conference participants. NASA Academy members worked closely with the GSFC sponsored Director Students Researchers Program to produce and staff this production. The production included scripted actors on stage, video footage, and a question and answer session.
The final part of the group project included the development and execution of a Red Rover Mars base in conjunction with the Planetary Society. In just two days, at the request of the Planetary Society, SAIV members designed and constructed a Mars terrain. The event took place in the lobby of NASA Headquarters the day after the Mars conference. NASA Academy members interacted with teacher participants and operated the Mars Rovers on the terrain. Currently, the NASA Academy is negotiating with the Planetary Society to serve as staff for the Planetfest event planned during the landing of Mars Pathfinder.
The SAIV members are proud to accomplish, in some small way, the goals of outreach and public education. The group project stands as an example of the sense of purpose, direction, and motivation inspired by the NASA Academy.