Mars Area Elementary School students (Grades 2-4) are preparing for the future of space travel as part of a cross- curricular “Astronaut Training” program.

During their STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Mathematics) and Physical Education classes, students (Grades 2-4) are rotating through various stations that are designed to train their brains and their bodies like astronauts.

STEAM-related training activities — Canyon Campers, Flag Stand, Ice Launch, Moon Buggy Adventures, Meteorite Launch, Moon Rock Collector, Overlook Tower, Rocket Race, Rover Rescue, Surface Sensors, Time Travelers and Volcano Eruption — are centered around giant maps of both Mars and the Moon that were obtained through an Aldrin Family ­­­Foundation ShareSpace Education grant. Each station tests the skills (controlling robots, engineer structures, creating stop motion videos) that students are learning in their STEAM classes.

In their physical education classes, students are focusing on agility, balance, coordination, endurance, spatial awareness and strength training. The students are practicing what they have learned at Balance Training, Commander Crunches & Pilot Planks, Crater Crosser, Mars Mountain, Moon Jump, and Rover Relay stations. Mars Planet Foundation also contributed funding for the activity.

For inquiries, call (724) 625-3161.