Date:
Location:
Houston, TX 77030
Audience:
Elementary & middle school teachers, students, public, higher ed students, faculty
Higher Ed Involvement:
Faculty and students organized, judged, and presented awards.
Description:
Under the direction of IDEAS² Co-I Dr. Heather Domjan, UH hosted the 2025 Mars Rover Explorers Summer Camp, engaging 65 students in grades 3–8 from 16 Houston-area school districts. Guided by eight UH undergraduate and graduate mentors, participants tackled Mars-themed engineering challenges, including designing lunar landers, building rover prototypes, and developing habitat blueprints.
The program also featured hands-on STEM stations covering space science, laser technology, and microscopy, using a scanning electron microscope to examine lunar regolith. A highlight of the week was a visit to Space Center Houston and NASA Johnson Space Center, offering authentic exposure to aerospace careers. The camp concluded with a student showcase and awards ceremony, reinforcing STEM skills, teamwork, and career awareness.
Mars Rover Explorers Summer Camp Registration
July 15–19, 2024
UH STEM Center, University of Houston
Led by IDEAS² Co-I Dr. Heather Domjan, the 2025 Mars Rover Explorers Summer Camp at UH engaged students in hands-on engineering challenges and STEM activities, including Mars rover prototyping, habitat design, and lunar regolith analysis using a scanning electron microscope.
The program also featured hands-on STEM stations covering space science, laser technology, and microscopy, using a scanning electron microscope to examine lunar regolith. A highlight of the week was a visit to Space Center Houston and NASA Johnson Space Center, offering authentic exposure to aerospace careers. The camp concluded with a student showcase and awards ceremony, reinforcing STEM skills, teamwork, and career awareness.
Mars Rover Explorers Summer Camp Registration
July 15–19, 2024
UH STEM Center, University of Houston
Led by IDEAS² Co-I Dr. Heather Domjan, the 2025 Mars Rover Explorers Summer Camp at UH engaged students in hands-on engineering challenges and STEM activities, including Mars rover prototyping, habitat design, and lunar regolith analysis using a scanning electron microscope.