The newest development in space: Canadian students are creating a
martian colony on Mars. A MARTIAN COLONY ON MARS???
February, 1997-- 5000 students in Vancouver, Edmonton, Windsor,
Toronto, Ottawa, and Fredericton will be participating in Marsville,
a national learning project. Students in grades five to eight, are
working with scientists, engineers, and other students from all the
regions across Canada. They will create a model or prototype of a
habitat for people, animals and plants to live on Mars. Never say
never, humans landing on the planet Mars may be closer than you
think.
The project is not just make believe fantasy. The students will
consider the logistics of how colonists will grow food, how oxygen
can be provided and what lifestyle amenities must be included in the
habitat for a harmonious society. Students will design the cosmic
village's transportation system and construct a MarsRover vehicle for
exploring the planet.
The activities are a new and exciting way for students to study
engineering, biology, chemistry, English--and themost important (and
interesting) subject of all--LIFE!
The Marsville project was created in part to honour the space
shuttle crew that was lost in the 1986 Challenger Accident. The
research, implementation and equipment needed is being provided by
SPAR Aerospace (makers of the Canadarm) and the Canadian Space
Agency.
"The kids participating in Marsville today will be the first
generation to see their peers travel to the red planet (Mars)," said
Sheila Rhodes, Canadian National Marsville Education Co-ordinator.
"At the rate that space exploration is evolving, it is more important
than ever to encourage students to pursue careers in science and
technology."
For more information, visit the Marsville website...