Elementary Students Plan ‘Mission to Mars’ at WSU

OGDEN, Utah — Eighteen local elementary school classes will prepare for life in outer space during Mission to Mars Link-Up Day, April 25 and 26 from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Weber State University’s Swenson Gym.

Participating fifth-graders will spend the day constructing inflatable plastic habitats to simulate shelters that can sustain life on Mars. Each shelter is 12 feet by 8 feet and will be connected through a series of tunnels. Altogether, students will link together 34 habitats.

The event is sponsored by the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology and the Hill Air Force Base STEM Outreach Program. The partnership serves as a way to inspire new generations of leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

“We love to encourage our local kids to be STEM crazy,” said Dana Dellinger, WSU Center for Technology Outreach director. “Mission to Mars is an interesting and fun way for students to learn and apply their STEM coursework. Maybe we will even inspire them to work on a Mars project one day.”

Students from schools throughout northern Utah will participate, including DaVinci Academy, New Bridge Elementary and Quest Academy.

Mission to Mars has grown in popularity over the years, doubling the number of schools participating in the event. To accommodate the growth, this is the first time WSU will host two consecutive days to build Mars habitats.

“This is a fantastic event for fifth-grade students that helps them learn about STEM-related subjects while having fun in the classroom and bringing it all together at the Link-Up Day,” said Lance Butler, Hill Air Force Base STEM Outreach Program manager. “In their classrooms, they work on math and science by designing and building life support systems so they could inhabit Mars. They will also learn teamwork and art as they create their own mission patches and write about their experience in preparing to live on Mars.”

Butler works throughout the year to get schools involved in the project. He works with a team to train teachers and encourage greater involvement in the event. 

“Our partnership with WSU has been an integral part of our STEM Outreach Program,” Butler said. “We look forward to working with them in this and many more projects."

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu

Contact:

Dana Dellinger, Center for Technology Outreach director
801-626-7552 • danadellinger@weber.edu