Destination Mars Lifts Off: Brevard Students Get STEM Boost from Boeing Grant
March 22, 2024 -Brevard Schools Foundation received a $250,000 grant from The Boeing Company providing funding for student opportunities to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Design Challenges, participate in experiential study trips, and for STEM industry workforce volunteers to participate in the programs in meaningful ways.
The Destination Mars design challenge, a culmination of year-long efforts put forth by elementary students, will take place March 6 through March 21 with 42 teams, representing 36 schools, competing in four mission areas. The Destination Mars Event is in its sixth year and includes displays, device performances, coding experiences, and judging. The event’s goal is to cultivate tomorrow’s innovators by engaging students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) challenges. The projects are designed to develop real-world problem-solving skills, simulation-based inquiry, and collaboration.
Teams were presented with four standards-aligned STEM challenges that were planned and executed in class and in after-school STEM clubs. During the Destination Mars Event the teams will have an opportunity to present their solutions to judging panels comprised of professionals from The Boeing Company, Brevard County Public Schools, and other organizations.
Student teams selected one of the following challenges:
- Mission Research Station Biodome Pod: Students designed research stations that address the challenges of living on Mars.
- Mission Solar Rover: Teams designed a functioning solar rover that would be able to travel straightaway. Teams will participate in timed runs and can compete head-to-head with other teams.
- Mission Robotic Rover Spike Prime: Teams used block programming to program their rover (the LEGO Spike Prime) to complete missions on Mars.
- Mission Minecraft Education Research Station: Teams used Minecraft: Education Edition to design and build a Martian Research Base that would allow members of the mission to maintain homeostasis on Mars.
- Mission Journalist: Students documented the progress of each mission and complied a video to show the team’s journey.
The grant from The Boeing Company also provides funding for Destination Space, an experiential field program at Kennedy Space Center for all 6th grade students (5,500+) in Brevard Public Schools this school year. The grant continues to support the Girls in STEM initiative started in 2021-2022, a Saturday hands-on program at now eight Title 1 schools, that encouraged the participation of female minorities and helped to increase the number of participating teams.
“I have no doubt that there are future astronauts, engineers, designers and technicians in our local schools today, which is why Boeing is proud to partner with the Brevard Schools Foundation and its Destination Mars STEM Program,” said Doug Skinner, Director of System Integrations for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner program. “We are confident Brevard County, and the state of Florida will see the impact made by this program for years to come.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership of The Boeing Company,” said Janice Kershaw, President/CEO of Brevard Schools Foundation. “Their generous grant of $250,000 empowers us to offer exceptional STEM experiences to Brevard Public School students. The Destination Mars program, Destination Space field trip, and Girls in STEM initiative provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that spark curiosity, ignite innovation, and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in future STEM careers. Thanks to Boeing’s investment, we are one step closer to cultivating tomorrow’s problem-solvers and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts right here in Brevard County.”
Source: Brevard Schools Foundation