About Our Project: A Chronicle of the Journey
From Mrs.Gayla Rothermich:
Greetings! I, Gayla Rothermich, received the brochure in the mail for the Mars Millennium Project. It was thick, bright and colorful, and as much as I wanted to read it, I was really busy so I laid it aside. One day the beautiful colors and the window on the cover said, "Open Me Again". I could not believe that I had ignored this for so long. Finally a project which combined all the arts. I, being a violinist, Director of Strings at Barretts Elementary in the Parkway School District, a gardener, an avid advocate of critical and creative thinking and new computer "techie lover," went immediately to the principal, Annie Ritter, and asked permission to do this project and involve students in the third through fifth grades. She said, "Go For IT!" I hurried off to our new technology director, Ms. Julie Murray and requested her coming" on board".
Our program was inclusive not exclusive, was open to anyone who wished to make a serious commitment and meet every Tuesday for one hour. We limited the group to 20 students in order to have a close bond and allow everyone to have the use of a computer.
We started out by getting to know one another, what we liked or did not like. If we could be known for one thing, what would we want someone new to know about us. We shared what had surprised us about one of the mission specialists after our discussion. We set a tone for creative brainstorming, no fear when sharing a vision, learning to respect someone else's space and speaking time, 100 percent participation on assignments and continued enthusiasm as the project developed. Also we developed the ability to depend on our buddy on a mission and how important this would be for the real landing on Mars. Our project was done by children without any help from adults.
We followed the guidelines in the Guide for the Mars Millennium Project. Boys and girls learned to network and found that people knew people they never dreamed they knew who could contribute to our project. Our Patch and Name and Flag were made and established.
At a local bookstore, I located several wonderful books. These were eagerly studied by the Mission Specialists in their chosen teams. We also toiled with the project and realized how hard it would be to encompass so much in so short a time. We watched a video, "Windows on Mars", and also a Mars Environmental Discovery Channel presentation. After this we felt that separating into teams of shared interest would best serve our needs.
Several made moving robots, others drew, others brought thoughts written down and all of us explored many internet sites that Ms. Murray and I selected as we journeyed along the Mars Corridor.
I, due to emergency surgery, was absent for five weeks and participated by speaker phone and computer. Ms. Murray continued on with the actual making of models and separating the mission specialists into teams. I am so grateful to her for continuing on so expertly with my dream project.
Our final time will be with parents on May 30th. Each child will make a presentation with regard to their area of interest and explain the model that was made, present their vision for possibilities they might see and feel when they land on Mars with one hundred earthlings. In addition , they will describe what participating in this project has meant to them. We plan to share this with others on television, by newspaper, with our school district, an exhibit at the Science Center later this year, and somewhere at a local community gathering.
For me personally, this is doing what I love: seeing new groups of boys and girls get to know each other; developing respect for each others ideas; feeling a part of a successful, enthusiastic team; daring to dream, brainstorm and not be afraid to venture forth a new idea and learning to retain a commitment until the job is finished. I am happy to say all of this was accomplished and I am so proud to have been a part of the lives of these wonderful boys and girls. Many have requested to have this Project continue and we are exploring these possibilities along with hopes of meeting an astronaut, having more speakers and being more involved with our fine Science Center along with several field trips.
From Miss Julie Murray:
This project has been a wonderful adventure for all of the students and directors! We accomplished the mission together and learned from each other. It was wonderful seeing the inspiration and creativity of the students.
My role with the students and Mrs. Rothemich incorporated the researching of Mars websites for the students to explore, assisting students in the organization, development, and construction of their models, as well as the construction of our website.
All mission specialists then viewed the NASA video, "Windows on Mars". This program was a wonderful program that discussed the integration of the arts and sciences in the development of a Martian community for 100 earthlings. We particularly discussed the use of Martian materials in the development of our community.
The specialists then brainstormed services and materials that would be needed on our journey. As a group we decided that we needed the following groups to design items for the community: Services, Utilities, Housing, Transportation, Shopping, Environment, and Entertainment. The specialists then decided the on the area in which they were interested in working.
Over the next 3 weeks, students sketched their ideas, designed diagrams using the Kid Pix Deluxe Program, and constructed the models. These weeks allowed all of us to share ideas and cooperatively work together as a group. It was extremely exciting to watch the students grow and create!
Finally, the students worked briefly on the construction of this website. Mrs. Rothermich and I met with each group individually to finalize ideas for this site and presentations. Each group decided on the colors, layout, and information included in their group's web page. Although the pages were physically constructed by the directors,(due to the complexity of the web page design program used as well as time constraints) all pages are student designed with their information and illustrations. I am sure that we have future web designers in our midst!
Overall, it has been an extreme pleasure to work with these wonderful students and Mrs. Rothermich! This project has been a wonderful growing experience for all. It is our hope that one day our specialists will be on a future mission to Mars! We can say we knew them when they first discovered the magnificence of Mars!