Outschool has announced a one-of-a-kind virtual event that will allow learners around the world to communicate live with a simulated Mars mission, complete with a real Earth-to-Mars communication delay. Taking place on February 4th, the 80-minute live event will allow learning to tune in, ask questions, collaborate during the wait, and receive responses from the Mars analog crew, turning delay into discovery.
The event is free, designed for kids ages 5-18 and will take place at 12 p.m.
In partnership with veteran Outschool educator Tom Bickmore, who will serve as Crew Journalist during an upcoming mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, the event invites kids to experience what it’s truly like to talk to people on another planet.
“When humans go to Mars, communication won’t be instant, but it can still feel human,” Bickmore said in a media release. “Kids are incredibly candid about their experiences, which makes them perfect participants in this kind of research.”
On a real Mars mission, messages take approximately 10 minutes to transmit between planets due to their distance. In this event, kids will experience this same delay each way — turning this wait into a fun challenge where participants can ask questions, work together while waiting, and feel what it’s really like to chat with someone on another planet.
– JC