The Greenville ISD ACE program launched their STEM Futuristic series, "The Martian" last Saturday at GHS. Referencing scenes from the Academy Award nominated movie, students learned about basic computer programming and how to assemble and code using Raspberry Pi computers donated by the Greenville YMCA. Students also determined how to make dead "Martian" soil viable, learned the meanings of organic and inorganic, and studied how the properties of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium sustain plants.

Throughout the day, students successfully created a mock biosphere, designed and created "mini greenhouses." Small explosions were created to mirror explosive events in the movie and to determine the root chemical cause. Students also engaged in "It's Elementary" a game about the Periodic Table, and calculated Martian Sol days. At the end of the day, students registered to win chances to visit the Ross Perot Museum of Science in Dallas that were graciously donated by the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas. ke dead "Martian" soil viable, the meaning of organic, inorganic and what the roles of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are in sustaining plants. They created a mock up biosphere and designed and created their own "mini greenhouses." Small explosions were created to mirror explosive events in the movie and to determine the root chemical cause. Students engaged in "It's Elementary" a game about the Periodic Table, and calculated Martian Sol days. Students demonstrated their knowledge gained by participating in creating a KWL chart. Oh yeah, they also consumed pizza, cookies and registered to win chances to visit the Ross Perot Museum of Science in Dallas as donated by the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Texas. Another STEMfastic day of ACE!

The next STEM Saturday in this series will be held on February 27^th. The day will include activities based off the recent movie such as exploring the many forms of communication in space and how “The Martian” used them to survive and return to Earth through use of photography and videography. On March 26^th, the last Saturday of the series, students will be tasked with producing inventions designed to withstand the harsh elements of Mars while taking advantage of the planet’s resources to plan the escape from Mars.

STEM Saturdays began in the 2013-2014 school year to expand on the core day goal of connecting students and parents with hands on learning activities. Past Saturday STEM topics featured Robotics, Plant Science, SpACE, Chemistry, Physics and Herpetology. Technology topics included Raspberry Pi, Promethean Table, and Web based applications such as Voice Thread.

Those with questions about the Greenville ISD ACE afterschool program are encouraged to contact Johanna Friedel, ACE Project Director, at 903.408.4433 or friedelj@greenvilleisd.com.