Mars Area Elementary School fourth-graders Luke Kelly, 10, and Brandon Abel,10, work on their Mars exploration vehicles on a map of the planet Monday in the school's gymnasium. In the activity, part of the school's science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) program, students built self-propelled mini-robot vehicles with Legos to explore the maps of Mars and the moon.

ADAMS TWP — Mars Area School District students won't have to leave their school buildings to blast off into outer space.

Students at Mars Area Elementary School had the chance to explore newly acquired Giant Mars and Moon Maps from the Aldrin Family Foundation as part of their STEAM class curriculum on Monday during the school day.

The floor maps are made of vinyl and show the topography and surface of Mars and Earth's moon, along with scientific facts and education materials. The district has maps in the small (13.5 feet by 6 feet) and medium (23.5 feet by 10.5 feet) sizes. The larger maps are big enough that they are spread out on the gym floor in the school.

The maps were sponsored by Armco Federal Credit Union and the Mars Planet Foundation.

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