Students Showcase Mars Rover Models at UH Saturday, Jan. 30

Houston-area elementary and middle school students will be showing off Mars Rover models they built at the University of Houston’s 14th annual Mars Rover Model Celebration and Competition Saturday, Jan. 30. Offering an out-of-this-world experience for participants and onlookers alike, the event will feature an array of contest entries being showcased by contestants dressed up in their finest Martian, astronaut, rocket scientist and other far-out gear. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Houston Room of the Student Center South.

Each year, student teams research, design and construct a model rover to carry out a specific science mission on the planet’s surface. A $25 limit on supplies helps students learn about budgets and project management, while keeping the costs accessible for all schools. Past rovers have been crafted from simple art supplies, found objects, solar-power kits and radio-controlled car chassis.

The models are built in the fall during a six-week classroom-learning or homework project on Mars. The students were given design criteria for a rover and required to do basic research on Mars to determine the operational objectives and structural features of their rovers.

An educational outreach endeavor for third- through eighth-graders from Houston and its surrounding areas, the contest was developed to spark students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Showing how STEM fields offer exciting, relevant and accessible career paths, this contest offers hands-on projects that provide very true-to-life results, encouraging children to take learning beyond the textbook.

Since 2002, UH and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics have sponsored and hosted this annual event, which was founded and continues to be led by UH physics professor Edgar Bering.

WHO:
Area elementary and middle school kids, dressed up as Martians, astronauts, scientists and other creative characters to showcase their homemade Mars rover models

WHAT:
14th Annual Mars Rover Model Celebration and Competition

WHEN:
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30
Judging periods will provide the best visuals:
10-11:30 a.m. – Elementary School Teams
1-2:30 p.m. – Middle School Teams

WHERE:
University of Houston
Houston Room of the Student Center
Second Floor, room 220
Off Calhoun Road, Entrance 1
Map: http://uh.edu/maps/buildings/?short_name=UC

Editorial Note: Photos are available to media by contacting Lisa Merkl. A short video recap of the event is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx9ChvPhhtI.


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