Mars tries for grant to build space ed center
MARS — The borough is receiving otherworldly support in seeking funding for a new outer space education center.
During a recent meeting of Mars council, Mayor Greg Hartung said the borough was in the process of applying for a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program application to seek funds to build a “Mars Discovery Center” in town.
The center would focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) education and, according to Hartung, would give children and their families a way to explore science and space travel.
The idea was formed after a recent Mars New Year event, which is celebrated in the borough every 22 months — the approximate length of a year on Mars. As part of those celebrations in 2015 and 2017, representatives from NASA visited Mars and brought programs related to space exploration.
According to RACP guidelines, the project request must be at least $1 million — an amount Hartung indicated the borough would request. Other requirements dictate a project must generate “substantial increases in employment, tax revenues or other measure of economic activity.” It also requires matching funds, for which Hartung said the borough would use the property value for the desired location as leverage. He said this year a priority has been placed on projects that focus on STEAM education, which makes the borough's plan attractive.
Further strengthening the application is an official “letter of collaboration” from NASA, which would provide content for the center. Hartung said because NASA is a government agency they are not able to put funding toward the project, but can help with programming and design. Under the plan, Mars would own the building and a third party would operate the center.
“It would bring NASA here on a permanent basis,” Hartung said. “It is something that is educational, but still fun.”
In the letter, James Green, director of planetary science for NASA, said the work done by the borough through the Mars New Year celebration aligns with the mission of the organization.
“This event highlights the red planet with an emphasis on young students gaining interest in (STEAM) education,” the letter states.
As part of NASA's involvement, Green said the organization will provide content from its “Mission to Mars Program,” which includes tangible exhibits, displays and online components. He added the organization is willing to help in any way it can.
“Based on our interactions from the past four years, NASA looks for good things to happen with our continued collaboration in Mars, Pennsylvania!,” the letter states.
The application is in the final stages, and will be submitted before this Sunday's deadline. A decision on the funding is not expected until December.
However, that isn't stopping Hartung and others involved with the project from doing as much as they can to be ready if Mars is awarded the funding. This includes conversations with NASA representatives about what programs the center would provide, and what the center should offer.
“When we are awarded the funding, we want to hit the ground running,” an optimistic Hartung said.
Borough officials also continue to plan for the next Mars New Year in 2019, and are eyeing additional Mars-related events later this spring.
