Mars Day 2023

Mars Day 2023 through ESERO UK has been a very interesting day. There has been videos from leading scientists from the UK who are working tirelessly to get humans to Mars. There has been a huge array of activities and information given live via Teams straight to our classroom. Lee was very excited when Major Tim Peake came online to talk to schools all over the world about Mars, travelling to Mars and his time on the International Space Station. There has also been loads of information on data collection, space vehicles, land and biology studies, alien life, sports and fitness and nutrition. 

Lee and Claire sent a question to Scientists asking “how accurate was the movie ‘The Martian’ when the botanist grew potatoes on Mars?. The science experts who included a palaeontologist and a botanist answered saying that it was very accurate and under the right conditions, plants can be grown on Mars if the environment was controlled and the soil was treated. They said that they are excited about one day being able to do multiple tests on Mars soil to find out what exactly is on Mars and see if it is like that of Earth.

Major Tim Peake also answered our question when Lee asked “Did you struggle with any subjects in school and do you have any advice for students who want to pursue a career in Science but struggle academically?”  Major Tim answered this along with other schools questions and said that he didn’t do very well at school and had to retake some subjects later on in life BUT HE DOES NOT RECOMMEND THIS AS IT WAS VERY VERY DIFFICULT and his advice was to work hard in school so that you don’t have to retake later. He also said that there are thousands of jobs working in Science and Space industries where practical skills are very important and that passion is very important along with hard work.

Other agencies including the European Space Agency were interviewed throughout the day and they had the following advice for anyone who would like to pursue a career in Space.

• Work hard and find your passion, fins a subject you love and work hard on it.  One scientist who works on the Mars mission loved English Literacy and didn’t think for a million years that this would lead to working on Space Missions but it has massively helped her.
• Focus on ‘Coding’ as the future of most space jobs will involve basic coding and any experience or qualifications in this will massively help you.
• “LISTEN TO YOUR TEACHERS” They all agreed that School was so important to them, even though some of them struggled and had learning difficulties, school and teachers helped them to become who they are today.

Who knows where you will end up.  If you have any questions please come and speak to Lee or Claire and we can help you. Work hard and always reach for the stars.