K-12 Education Outreach Program Initiated by a University Research Team for the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer Project

Abstract

The Arizona Mars K-12 Education Program provides opportunities for direct interaction between K-12 teachers, students, and the scientists and engineers who are involved with the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Pathfinder missions. The program was initiated by a graduate student and university professor, and provides a model for other research teams considering K-12 education outreach efforts. The program has evolved with changes in U.S. Mars exploration plans, from Mars Observer's loss through the present effort. The main activities of the program include K-12 student visits to the Mars facility at the university, K-12 teacher workshops, newsletters, classroom visits, resource guides, and Mars education information on the Internet. University research teams should take advantage of existing resources and teacher networks when planning to start a K-12 education outreach program.