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MARSFEST EVENTS AND ON SITE OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN DEATH VALLEY NATL. PARK: A JOURNEY INTO A CRATER
MarsFest events in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were a collaborative effort between the National Park Service, the SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and JPL. The E/PO Team of Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) was a key partner. The MarsFest’s goal was to bring together scientists, Park staff, and the public to elevate awareness about the fascinating research being done in Death Valley in support of the NASA’s Curiosity Mission to Mars.
Events included planetary science talks, scientist- and ranger-led field trips to Martian analog sites (Badwater, Ubehebe Crater, Mars Hill), and an expo with mini-rover demonstrations and booths from various organizations (NASA, Mars Society and Planetary Society). Talks showcased Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover planning (in 2012) and its exciting results (in 2013 and 2014). Several Curiosity scientists and engineers from NASA Ames and Goddard were involved. Additional speakers and participants came from the SETI Institute, JPL, the Desert Research Institute, and several universities. Over 40 volunteers, including undergraduate, graduate students, and junior scientists staffed exhibits and interacted with the public.
Our research activities in Death Valley plus our close working relationship with the Park are an important component of the Mars program. Informal education activities conducted year round at individual research sites are a fundamental part of communicating to the public what NASA missions are doing and showing the connection to life on Earth.
Annual events such as MarsFest enhance the Park’s understanding of the NASA research conducted within its borders and foster cooperative efforts. Death Valley MarsFest events can be a model for other parks and public lands with planetary analog sites.