The Mars Generation Awards Ten Young People Full Scholarships for A Week at Space Camp

Less than a year after its inception, The Mars Generation (TMG) is excited to announce ten students will represent The Mars Generation at Space Camp® this summer.

“It’s really through the amazing efforts of TMG volunteers, individual donors and our generous sponsors that we have guaranteed spots for ten young people this summer,” explained TMG Executive Director Nicole Harrison.

This year’s scholarship recipients are between the ages of 13 and 16 and represent communities all across the United States. Harrison said that each student participated in a rigorous application process, including a recommendation from a teacher or advisor. “Our Space Camp attendees have demonstrated not only a passion for space exploration, but a willingness to work hard academically,” said Harrison. TMG’s unique scholarships cover all expenses including transportation, flight suits and even spending money. TMG scholarships are meant to help eliminate some of the barriers facing students and families living in poverty who might not otherwise consider a camp like Space Camp.

Along with the ten U.S. scholarships, TMG announced the nonprofit’s first international chapter is providing two students and one teacher with scholarships to attend Space Camp. Harrison expects the Colombian chapter will serve as a model for additional international chapters to join The Mars Generation.

To celebrate this achievement, TMG Founder Abigail Harrison – Astronaut Abby, along with TMG’s executive director Nicole Harrison, TMG board members retired astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger, Microgravity Scientist Penny Pettigrew and Space Historian Robert Pearlman, will be in attendance at the Space Camp Summerfest, July 14-16, 2016.  TMG representatives will be joined by the scholarship recipients at the Alumni Town Hall Brunch, Saturday morning.

“I am delighted to join this year’s scholarship recipients at Space Camp, where it all began for me, personally,” said Abigail Harrison – Astronaut Abby. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it certainly changed my own life, forever,” she said. “I expect it will have an equally profound impact on these ten young people.”

Space Camp Summerfest is an annual event designed to bring together both space camp alumnae and space enthusiasts who would like an opportunity to experience the fun and learning at Space Camp. The events range from astronaut training simulations to a concert under the shuttle and offers a something for people of all ages and backgrounds. All proceeds go to support the Space Camp Alumni Scholarship fund. The Mars Generation is a partner organization with the Space Camp Alumni Foundation.

More about The Mars Generation: The Mars Generation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing and inspiring tomorrow’s explorers today while also supporting advocacy for NASA’s Journey to Mars with a broad community of space enthusiasts and ambassadors. Each generous donation is an investment in building The Mars Generation and strengthening our future by inspiring the youth of today to be leaders tomorrow.

One week at Space Camp® in Huntsville, Ala. changed Abigail “Astronaut Abby” Harrison’s life at age 11, she set out on a mission, not only to become an astronaut and possibly be one of the first people to set foot on mars, but to inspire and excite others about the importance of human space exploration and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education.

At 18 years old, Astronaut Abby, founded The Mars Generation (TMG), an organization designed to meet this goal through three programs: the Future of Space, an online outreach community to empower space enthusiasts to share their passion for space; the Student Space Ambassadors, a mentorship program for people ages 13-24 to foster excitement about space exploration within their own communities; and the Space Camp Scholarship program, which provides kids with an aptitude for STEM and a demonstrated financial need complete scholarships (including airfare) to attend Space Camp®.

Find out more: http://themarsgeneration.org/

For media inquires call Nicole Harrison: 612-670-0337 or email nicole (at) themarsgeneration (dot) org