In partnership with the Spartanburg County Foundation, the Science Center is pleased to bring Buzz Aldrin’s Giant Mars Map experience to Spartanburg County students. Famed astronaut Aldrin believes that current fourth grade students will one day be the first pioneers to Mars. Using this interactive tool, we have an opportunity to foster a passion for space exploration as well as inspire the next generation of a STEM skilled workforce.
Each Mars Map is 25-feet-by-25-feet, allowing an entire class to interact with it. The map depicts the Mars Orbital Laser Altimeter (MOLA) image, which measures the elevation of the surface features of Mars, and it includes the landing locations of NASA Mars robots. The maps can be used to cover topics that include map reading, latitude/longitude comprehension, topographical map comprehension, mission planning, spatial awareness, scale models and other Mars-related lessons.
Using the maps, students will work in collaborative teams to complete the integrated series of research and challenges. Buzz Aldrin’s ShareSpace Foundation will provide support to educators with onsite teacher training and long-term curriculum support. Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, other groups or schools wishing to have a map program presented onsite at their location may contact the Spartanburg Science Center to book.
The first six entities to receive maps are The Spartanburg Science Center, Spartanburg County District 1, Woodruff Elementary School (D4), Berry Shoals Intermediate School (D5), Spartanburg County District 6 and the Cleveland Academy of Leadership (D7). This inaugural round of maps are funded by a public/private partnership that includes The Chapman Cultural Center, The Spartanburg County Foundation, Spartanburg District 6, an anonymous donor, ShareSpace Foundation and Wells Fargo.
