Mars, the Red Planet, is the next frontier of space exploration. What do we know about this planet where rivers flowed, volcanoes erupted, and lakes and seas may once have harbored life? What happened to make Mars the cold, dry desert world of today? What can this tell us about the future of our planet?

How do scientists and engineers plan for future missions to explore Mars? What steps do they take to make sure a mission will be a success? Why do some missions still fail? How are all the Mars missions -- successes and failures -- contributing toward future human exploration and colonization of Mars? When will that happen?

Come and investigate the mysteries of the Red Planet with the scientists and engineers at the forefront of the Mars and research exploration at ... LiftOff 2000: Return to Mars!

Program Features

• presentations by Mars scientists and engineers
• tours of NASA and Space Center Houston
• hands-on inquiry-based classroom activities
• free curricula and space science materials
• Internet and e-mail access

Texas teachers must: submit a completed application, no later than February 28, 2000, to:

Non-Texas teachers must:1) obtain a recommendation from their state's Space Grant Consortium, and 2) submit a completed application, no later than February 28, 2000, to TSGC at the address listed above.

Additional Information

• Texas Teachers: There is no registration fee for teachers selected to participate.
• Non-Texas Teachers: Out-of-state participants must pay a $400 registration fee when selected which covers lodging (double occupancy), meals, shuttle transportation during the meeting, and airport transfers in Houston.

Contact Information:

Access the Directory of Space Grant Contacts through the National Space Grant web site at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/spacegrant/ or by contacting Margaret Baguio, Outreach Coordinator, Texas Space Grant Consortium, phone: 800-248-8742

Forms (Acrobat Reader) may be downloaded from the Texas Space Grant Consortium home page (http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/). If you have any problems downloading the application and would like to receive a paper copy, please e-mail Margaret Baguio, Outreach Coordinator, TSGC.