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February 19, 2003

Kelly Humphries
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(281) 483-5111

Norman Chaffee
Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
(281) 483-3777

Report #J03-11

JSC HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL MARS SETTLEMENT DESIGN COMPETITION

An exciting industry simulation game for Houston-area high school
students -- the fifth annual Mars Settlement Design Competition - will 
be hosted by NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) Feb. 21-23, 2002.

The competition is designed to teach students in grades 10, 11 and 12
about Mars, space science, the space environment, engineering careers, 
organizing and integrating complex activities, teamwork, management, 
and effective communication in an exciting and unusual context. It's 
part of JSC's recognition of National Engineers Week. 

An opportunity for news media representatives to witness the
competition and speak with organizers and participating students will
be offered from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22. Media planning to
attend must contact the Johnson Space Center newsroom, (281) 483-5111, 
by noon CST Friday, Feb. 21, to arrange credentials.  Transportation 
on site at JSC will be provided and media should plan to arrive at the 
JSC main gate no later than 1:30 p.m. CST Saturday, Feb. 22.

The game scenario is set in the middle of the 21st century, when The
Foundation Society, a fictitious private organization that promotes
human exploration and colonization of space, issues an urgent call to
industry to propose a design and operating plan for a new Mars base. 

Up to 160 students will portray analysts, planners, artists, writers,
organizers and managers with a variety of skills, and be teamed to
form four competing companies. Guided by a professional NASA or
industry manager acting as their company's Chief Executive Officer,
the students will emulate the experience of working as a member of an
aerospace company team, developing a proposal for the new Mars base. 

The base requirements will be complex, challenging, and exciting, and
will require imaginative and innovative approaches and solutions. The
Competition will conclude with each student company presenting its
proposal to a panel of NASA and industry judges, who will select a
winning proposal. 

For more information about the Mars Settlement Design competition,
including photos of participants in previous competitions, visit its
web site at:      http://marsbase.jsc.nasa.gov

For more information about National Engineers Week, visit its web site 
at:          http://www.eweek.org

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