One of our most unique achievements is the production of an Integrated Arts and Sciences video. This video has been shared with NASA, The National Endowment for the Arts, U.S. Department of Education, The White House Millennium Council, J. Paul Getty Trust, TEMPO the MENC cable channel and will appear locally on Alex Peterson's channel 18. The contents of this video is listed on the history page of this website. We are indebted to Ms. Jessica Barnes, composer, for her wonderful piece TO MARS AND BEYOND, as well as Dr. Patti Riggle, Fine Arts Coordinator for Parkway School District, for her Conversations with our Mission Specialists on Music now and in the future. The Mars Ensemble worked really hard on this project amidst their many, many school activities.
People have listened to music for a very long time and when we go to Mars that probably isn't going to change. However it might not be humanly possible to have music in the same forms as we do on Earth.
There are a few basic reasons why having music in the same forms as we have here on Earth might not work, such as: we have a weight limit on how much weight we take to Mars so taking up that weight limit with instruments like the cello or saxophone is not possible. This might not be a good use of space because we have to take so many other things for survival. Also the atmosphere of Mars is much thinner, making many sounds hard to hear. Scientists are studying ways to make music through computers. It is a good thought because it can put things you enjoy on something you would have to have anyway. Music is an expression of culture and it would be nice to take this part of our culture to Mars.
I think that our Mars Millennium project here at Barretts has more depth than any other group I've been in in my life. It is great to have two teachers who have so many connections concerning our topic. The only suggestion is to start earlier and give the kids more time to work on assignments. We know almost as much about the topic of Mars as the people at NASA.
Chris C.
Mars
My name is Patrick D. and I did a project on music and how it's going to be on Mars, what it will be like, and the diffeent ways to bring it to Mars. Music mostly comes from who you are and where you are from. Otherwise known as your culture or way of life.
People are influenced by many things in their culture. The way people hear, see, or even feel can affect the way music is written.
On Mars you might have trouble hearing things because the atmosphere is different and sound may travel differently. You can't take instruments to Mars because it will cost a lot of money. So it will probably be brought up to Mars through computers. By pressing buttons on the computer you can make different noises and sounds.
My favorite part of Mars Millennium was going to Mrs. Rothermich's house and getting to see the Milky Way Galaxy and many other exciting astronomical pictures.
By Patrick D.
