NASA engineer discusses Mars Rovers

Kobie Boykins, a mechanical engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Libratory, described his role in designing and testing the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity in a seminar at the National Geographic Society's (NGS) Grosvenor Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 3.

In addition to a video describing how NASA landed the two Mars rovers, Boykins presented several clips of footage taken by the rovers of the Martian landscape. Boykins's presentation, entitled "Rovers on the Red Plant," was one of several seminars given by scientific professionals at NGS as part of the Jason Project.

The Jason Project, founded by explorer Robert Ballard in 1989, is a yearly program that offers comprehensive supplemental materials and explorations for elementary middle school science and mathematics curriculums.

"Close to 300 teachers and trained and about 6,000 students participate," said Jason Project Manager Dan Beauper. "The focus of this year has been geology, physics and life."

The project culminates each year with a week of presentations at the NGS headquarters in Washington, D.C., attended by local students from the D.C. Metro area, according to Greg McGruder, NGS Director of Lectures and Public Performances. The seminars and interactive events focus on the year-long theme for the project curriculum. This year's theme for the project was "Mysteries of Earth and Mars."

In addition to the presentations and curriculum, the Jason Project takes 12 aspiring scientists across the country. Called Jason Project Argonauts, the students participate in scientific explorations ranging from geological surveys in Hawaii to rocketry experiments at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in CA. Anna Dykhoff, an Argonaut from Virginia, said that this year they looked at primitive landscapes because "on Mars, we'd be looking at extreme environments," she said.

As part of the projects goal of inspiring students to explore the reaches of science, Dykoff said that her experience as an Argonaut made her reconsider a career in science. "Going to see all those places and travel is just amazing," she noted. "After this, I'm pretty sure I'm going to do something in science."

While Jason Project Argonauts are middle school students, their research parallels that of a professional working team. During the "Disappearing Wetlands" expedition, held in 2004, Argonauts collected data from Louisiana marshes, data that McGruder noted is pretty valuable now.

For more information on the Jason Project, visit their website.