Thirty Years of Mission to Mars Memories
1994-1995
12 schools & 240 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Kirtland AFB
1995-1996
13 schools & 275 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Kirtland AFB
1996-1997
16 schools & 350 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Kirtland AFB
1997-1998
15 schools & 330 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Kirtland AFB
Ruidoso NM
1998-1999
34 schools & 748 students
NM Representative Tom Udall visits Mars colonists in Albuquerque
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Carlsbad NM
Ruidoso NM
1999-2000
Mars Millenium Colonization Mission (MMCM)
50 schools & 1,100 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Kirtland AFB
Ruidoso NM
2000-2001
Mars Odyssey Mission (MOM)
50 schools & 1,100 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Kirtland AFB
Ruidoso NM
2001-2002
Mars Asteroid Defense Mission (MADM)
61 schools & 2,305 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Farmington NM
Kirtland AFB
Las Cruces NM
2002-2003
Mars Critical Response Mission (MCRM)
59 schools & 1,926 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Farmington NM
Kirtland AFB
Las Cruces NM
2003-2004
77 schools & 2,515 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Cannon AFB
Farmington NM
Holloman AFB
Kirtland AFB
2004-2005
68 schools & 2,620 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Cannon AFB
Farmington NM
Las Cruces NM
2005-2006
53 schools & 2,060 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Cannon AFB
Farmington NM
White Sands Missile Range
2006-2007
41 schools & 1,948 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Cannon AFB
Farmington
Las Cruces NM
2007-2008
35 schools & 1,305 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Nenahnezad NM
Las Cruces NM
2008-2009
35 schools & 1,213 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Las Cruces NM
2009-2010
47 schools & 1,365 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Las Cruces NM
Participant Quotes
"Mission to Mars was 'spacelicous'."
2009-2010 Student – Cottonwood Valley Charter School
"I learned millions of things, but one of them is that Mars' equatorial diameter is 4,217 miles across."
2009-2010 Student -San Antonito Elementary School
"It was cool with the life support system. Who knew there were so many ways to make a life support system?"
2009-2010 Student – San Antonito Elementary School
"I learned that science can be useful in life."
2009-2010 Student – Sonoma Elementary School
"I learned that you get things done faster and better when you work together."
2009-2010 Student – South Mountain Elementary School
"I also learned that we should balance what we need to go to Mars, we can't have too much or too little."
2009-2010 Student – Whittier Elementary School
"I learned that Mars is a very interesting place and to work with people better."
2009-2010 Student – Zuni Elementary School
"We enjoyed this! The kids said it was their best field trip ever!"
2009-2010 Teacher – Emerson Elementary School
2010-2011
46 schools & 1,271 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Las Cruces NM
Roswell NM
Participant Quotes
"I learned that people have different ideas."
2010-2011 Student – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"For next year, I will suggest to put antigravity, so we can float in a little tube."
2010-2011 Student – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"I learned that 95% of Mars' atmosphere is carbon dioxide, but why? I mean there are no factories or harmful machinery. Why would there be carbon dioxide?"
2010-2011 Student – Bellehaven Elementary School
"My favorite part was lunch. It was so much fun eating in our habitat."
2010-2011 Student – Central Elementary School
"Don't forget anything and remember your Saga. Be nice to everyone."
2009-2010 Student – Petroglyph Elementary School
"I learned that teamwork can make you successful in everything."
2010-2011 Student – Seven Bar Elementary School
"I learned that you have to have help sometimes."
2010-2011 Student – Valley View Elementary School
"My students really stepped up, especially with the habitat construction. They were able to demonstrate concepts with hands-on activities rather than testing."
2010-2011 Teacher – Carlos Rey Elementary School
2011-2012
36 schools & 1,029 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"I learned how to work and communicate with other people."
2011-2012 Student – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"I learned that Mars has so many things I never knew. Mission to Mars really blew my mind."
2011-2012 Student – Bellehaven Elementary School
"You should pay attention to measurements."
2011-2012 Student – Bandelier Elementary School
"One good thing about Mars is we were using a lot of math."
2011-2012 Student – La Luz Elementary School
"It was the funnest day ever."
2011-2012 Student – Queen of Heaven School
"Good things come out of working hard."
2011-2012 Student – Zuni Elementary School
"This was a great leadership opportunity for each of my students. On a team, each person was an expert and given leadership duties."
2011-2012 Teacher – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"So many kids these days have no idea "how." So much perception is improved after hands on interactions like this."
2011-2012 Teacher – Magdalena Elementary School
"They felt like they learned a ton and were open to new careers."
2011-2012 Teacher – Mary Ann Binford Elementary School
"My kids gained a lot of self-confidence from doing all the work themselves with little teacher help!"
2011-2012 Teacher – Ralph J. Bunche Academy
2012-2013
39 schools & 1,128 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"Not only did I learn how to work as a team, about Mars' atmosphere, and how to build a habitat, but I learned how to take responsibility as a team captain and give directions."
2012-2013 Student – Mesa View Elementary School
"Mars is a really interesting planet."
2012-2013 Student – Ralph J. Bunche Academy
"I learned that a lot of teamwork matters and when you really work together as a team then everything will be much easier."
2012-2013 Student – Seven Bar Elementary School
"Before I started this project I knew nothing about Mars. After I feel like I know everything about Mars."
2012-2013 Student – Seven Bar Elementary School
"I have to say this is the best field trip I've been to."
2012-2013 Student – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
"Never be afraid to try something new."
2012-2013 Student – Zimmerly Elementary School
"Students gained confidence and learned the importance of teamwork, compromise, and decision making."
2012-2013 Teacher – Bandelier Elementary School
"What a wonderful time we had today! Thank you so much for all the hard work that went into the Link-Up Day event. Our students learned about how to become a team, new concepts about life on other planets, expanded mathematical concepts and opened up new avenues of scientific exploration! It's unbelievable that one program could do all that!"
2012-2013 Teacher – Prince of Peace School
"Students were proud of themselves and enjoyed sharing what they did and learned. The team leaders really grew with the responsibility."
2012-2013 Teacher – Santo Nino Regional Catholic School
"Students seemed confident as they progressed through the holding stations and as their nerves calmed, they realized they had the knowledge needed to be successful. Wonderful program!!! I am so happy to have been able to be a part of it!"
2012-2013 Teacher – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
2013-2014
40 schools & 1,281 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"I learned you have to have precise measurement."
2013-2014 Student – Dolores Gonzales Elementary School
"Mission to Mars was amazing!"
2013-2014 Student – East San Jose Elementary School
"Supplies are very critical."
2013-2014 Student – Edgewood Elementary School
"I learned each person is vital to the mission."
2013-2014 Student – Edgewood Elementary School
"I learned communication is very important."
2013-2014 Student – Los Ranchos Elementary School
"Students were more confident and understood the importance of working and communicating as a team."
2013-2014 Teacher – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"It was a great way to link common core activities."
2013-2014 Teacher – Cubero Elementary School
"Excellent STEM!"
2013-2014 Teacher – East San Jose Elementary School
"I have wanted to do this project for years!"
2013-2014 Teacher – Edgewood Elementary School
2014-2015
30 schools & 978 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"I really had fun knowing new people."
2014-2015 Student – Lavaland Elementary School
"My favorite part was meeting a real astronaut in person. P.S. Awesome!"
2014-2015 Student – Matheson Park Elementary School
"I learned that if you have a team you can do anything."
2014-2015 Student – Paul D. Henry Elementary School
"I liked going in the habitat to see what a great job we did. It was extraordinary."
2014-2015 Student – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
"The students realized that it takes communication, hard work and team work, to be successful in this activity."
2014-2015 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"Students showed increased self-esteem, willingness to try new things, teamwork, cooperation, and self-reliance."
2014-2015 Teacher – Mesa View Elementary School
"Students dealt with teamwork / collaboration issues, pro / con decisions, conflict resolution, and brainstorming."
2014-2015 Teacher – Saint Therese Catholic School
"It helped students understand what they are capable of on their own."
2014-2015 Teacher – Wherry Elementary School
2015-2016
37 schools & 1,053 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"This was the best time of my life."
2015-2016 Student – Chaparral Elementary School
"Mars is full of meaningful work and effort."
2015-2016 Student – Chaparral Elementary School
"It was an amazing experience and I'm glad that I didn't miss it. My favorite part was meeting everyone and all the laughing and frustrating times and all the challenges."
2015-2016 Student – Inez Elementary School
"Teamwork is amazing and you can work with other people."
2015-2016 Student – Zuni Elementary School
"My parents were thoroughly impressed with the organization and the many activities on Link-Up Day. My students always list the Mission to Mars as a highlight of their learning activities."
2015-2016 Teacher – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"My students gained confidence with their knowledge of Mars and planetary science."
2015-2016 Teacher – Griegos Elementary School
2016-2017
29 schools & 1,050 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"We had a LOT of fun. I loved it so much my favorite part was presenting to other students."
2016-2017 Student – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"I had a lot of fun at Mission to Mars and I found some new friends there and the saga we did was so much fun I just wanted to sing it all the time!"
2016-2017 Student – Dennis Chavez Elementary School
"I liked when I heard the riddles. They actually taught me things."
2016-2017 Student – Inez Elementary School
"I had an AMAZING time!! My favorite part was building the life support system model! I loved building and creating it!"
2016-2017 Student – Enchanted Hills Elementary School
"The highlight of Mission to Mars was the preparation. I enjoyed the chance to learn about Mars in a fun, yet challenging project. I liked having to problem solve while making our life support system.
2016-2017 Student – Monte Vista Elementary School
"I learned the better your group works together the more you get done and the better your projects are."
2016-2017 Student – Painted Sky Elementary School
"I learned that you have to be patient and work hard and never give up."
2016-2017 Student – Queen of Heaven School
"Thank you once again for providing such a valuable learning activity. It never ceases to amaze me how awesome the Mars Link-Up is!"
2016-2017 Teacher – Adobe Acres Elementary School
"Every student acknowledged what a lesson in teamwork this was!"
2016-2017 Teacher – Cielo Azul Elementary School
"My students came back 'livelier.' They knew what they could improve on. They talked about other students and how they had a good time."
2016-2017 Teacher – Dennis Chavez Elementary School
"Mission to Mars is a great way for students to apply the skills we teach in a real world model."
2016-2017 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"The Mission to Mars experience was absolutely amazing! I was just as excited as our students to be there."
2016-2017 Teacher – Mesa View Elementary School
2017-2018
35 schools & 1,060 students
Link-Up Day even location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"Mission to Mars was amazing. I enjoyed it very much. I learned the names of Mars' two moons. My favorite part was putting together our habitat."
2017-2018 Student – Christ Lutheran School
"I enjoyed the Mission to Mars. I learned Mars weather, atmosphere, and many other things. My favorite part was eating lunch in the dome."
2017-2018 Student – Cielo Azul Elementary School
"It made me feel like I'm doing something special and I'm going to remember it for a long time."
2017-2018 Student – Inez Elementary School
"It was a fun experience. You learn a lot but you really have to work as a group."
2017-2018 Student – Inez Elementary School
"It was amazing and adventurous. At Mars we got to build balloon houses."
2017-2018 Student – Mesa View Elementary School
"I would describe it as a way to work as a team while still needing to rely on yourself to play a part. Mission to Mar was uplifting and a once in a lifetime experience."
2017-2018 Student – Mitchell Elementary School
"Mission to Mars was a great experience. I enjoyed it because it involved teamwork. I learned that astronauts eat dried ice cream. My favorite part was when we inflated the habitat we built."
2017-2018 Student – Reserve Elementary School
"An exciting, once in a lifetime experience."
2017-2018 Student – Reserve Elementary School
"Mostly I think they became more confident about working together to build something (habitat) and their knowledge about Mars and the solar system."
2017-2018 Teacher – Dolores Gonzales Elementary School
"My students loved it! I could see some of them enjoyed meeting other 5th graders. With coaxing, several helped the adjacent habitats! All in all, it was fantastic!"
2017-2018 Teacher – Reserve Elementary School
"Everyone was proud to accomplish a common task. We also chose to offer our neighbor a lot of support with building, so my students felt well prepared for that task too!"
2017-2018 Teacher – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
"Outstanding organization and communication. Well supported throughout!"
2017-2018 Teacher – S.R. Marmon Elementary School
2018-2019
37 schools & 1,342 student
Link-Up Day even location:
Albuquerque NM
Participant Quotes
"Out of this world experience."
2018-2019 Student – Christ Lutheran School
"I actually learned a lot case when the other kids had their space stuff I learned a lot from theirs too."
2018-2019 Student – Emerson Elementary School
"I have learned how astronauts survive on Mars and we also did a simulation ourselves. My favorite part of Mission to Mars is working with other schools."
2018-2019 Student – Inez Elementary School
"I enjoyed the Mars saga. I learned to share and team work."
2018-2019 Student – Mesa View Elementary School
"It was fun and exciting. It teaches you to work together."
2018-2019 Student – Reserve Elementary School
"My group of students became more independent as we studied and prepared for this mission."
2018-2019 Teacher – Governor Bent Elementary School
"I really like that all the activities help the students think about / or simulate what would really be required on a real space mission. Making decisions or coming to a consensus that requires students to think beyond what they want is a valuable skill."
2018-2019 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"This is an excellent project based learning experience."
2018-2019 Teacher – Saint Therese Catholic School
2019-2020
21 schools & 1,146 students registered
In March 2020, schools shut down due to the pandemic
Created a new virtual event platform and recruited 120 students from 22 schools to participate
Link-Up Day event location:
Virtual
Participant Quotes
"Thank you! It was awesome!"
2019-20120 Student
"I liked the Kahoot! games and doing all of the fun math."
2019-2020 Student
"I learned about Olympus Mons, Viking 1, and a bunch of other Mars rovers / landers."
2019-2020 Student
"Thank you so much for all the work you put into preparing and carrying out this opportunity for our students! The website and tasks were excellent! I would love to have this as a resource next year during Mission to Mars. Thank you all again for the tremendous amount of time and energy!"
2019-2020 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"I thought it was all well put together. I did enjoy the Life Support System portion and through it was very interesting. My students who didn't participate in the Kahoot were observing and positive about the whole event. My students participated in my classroom and in their homes to complete all parts of the Mission to Mars. They learned facts, designed and built models, solar ovens, made symbols for their patch, and leadership roles, and had a positive group collaboration."
2019-2020 Teacher
"We had just started working on patch, life support system, etc. when COVID hit. I am really glad they had the opportunity to choose their own life support system, design their own patch and habitat. Thank you to everyone at AFRL who worked on the Virtual Mission. It would have been a sad shame if our students had not been given the opportunity to wrap everything up."
2019-2020 Teacher
2020-2021
13 schools & 314 students
Link-Up Day event location:
Virtual
Participant Quotes
"I like the Mission to Mars because we got to build."
2020-2021 Student – Cielo Azul Elementary School
"I like the puzzle because I like my brain hurting."
2020-2021 Student – Dolores Gonzales Elementary School
"Mission to Mars was a cool class that helps you learn more about Mars. You get to build you own habitat and do cool math games."
2020-2021 Student – Home School
"It was amazing and really fun and if I could I would want to do it again and it was fun learning about space and Mars."
2020-2020 Student – Inez Elementary School
"My favorite thing in the Mission to Mars was building the life support system, writing the saga, meeting the other classes, and more."
2020-2021 Student – Monte Vista Elementary School
"I thought it was great to see other students on the Link-Up Day, and show off their Saga. They loved the Kahoot games, and enjoyed working on the activities we were able to do in class."
2020-2021 Teacher – Dolores Gonzales Elementary School
"My students liked all the assignments. Because they each have different strengths, they liked each to a different degree. The students loved solving the puzzle together."
2020-2021 Teacher – Home School
"My students liked all the assignments. Because they each have different strengths, they liked each to a different degree. The students loved solving the puzzle together."
2020-2021 Teacher – Home School
"I'm retiring and wanted to let you know Mission to Mars was always a highlight of every year! Thank you for your continuous support, ingenuity (especially planning for this past year), and engaging students in space and STEM. I had a blast, but more importantly, this is something most students will never forget about 5th grade!"
2020-2021 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"My students were from all different 5th grade classes and they loved collaborating with peers that they do not usually work with. They found the videos very helpful and really enjoyed all the content."
2020-2021 Teacher – Sandia Base Elementary School
Parent Quotes
"My daughter enjoyed this project. She learned many facts about Mars, which she shared with us. She enjoyed learning facts and designing a habitat."
2020-2021 Parent
"Sparks imagination!"
2020-2021 Parent
"There is a high educational value in the program due to the depth of the activities such as researching the Mars facts, working with the team regarding designing the different elements such as life support systems, and considering what is needed to sustain life on Mars."
2020-2021 Parent
"My son really had a great time with Mission to Mars. He's in 5th grade, and thought some of the calculations were 'challenging' but he liked that it pushed him to try new things. He LOVED the team environment. They all got to use their own talents to achieve an end goal."
2020-2021 Parent
"I liked the problem solving aspect and that he had to collaborate with others."
2020-2021 Parent
2021-2022
20 schools & 583 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Remote/Virtual
Participant Quotes
"It was the best field trip we have done in elementary school."
2021-2022 Student – Cielo Azul Elementary School
"It helped me learn about Mars more and how likely we are to survive on it. It also gave me more experience in teamwork and talking to a crowd with a strong speaker voice."
2021-2022 Student – Monte Vista Elementary School
"AMAZING!!! It was a little exhausting but it was fun. I enjoyed building the habitat and the memorable moment when it was inflated."
2020-2021 Student – Monte Vista Elementary School
"I think it was really fun and I learned some new things and I think I would like to go to Mars."
2020-2021 Student – Painted Sky Elementary School
"My favorite activity was making the life support system because it made me use my brain like never before."
2021-2022 Student – Painted Sky Elementary School
"It was amazing! If I really went to Mars then I would know what to do!"
2021-2022 Student – Rio Rancho Elementary School
"My favorite part was building the habitat because I love building and creating stuff and the thought of building something you can walk in is insane to me!"
2021-2022 Student – Rio Rancho Elementary School
"Allows students to think outside the box. When you are beginning something from scratch, such as living on another planet, it allows the students to think of ideas that can make for a better environment, and changes that they can make from seeing mistakes being done on Earth."
2021-2022 Teacher – Alameda Elementary School
"Authentic problem solving."
2021-2022 Teacher – Cielo Azul Elementary School
"Students had a meaningful way to interact after 2 years of working independently! In all previous years, as with this year's mission, the need to communicate, compromise, and negotiate with each other is such a valuable experience. All the activities are age appropriate and meaningful to the mission."
2021-2022 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"Seeing them all work together as a team and get excited about the mission. They are all much more open to jobs in STEM fields after Mission to Mars.
2021-2022 Teacher – Mesa View Elementary School
"The students felt like they were a part of something. And so many of them have not felt that in years due to the pandemic. They were glowing with joy during the entire virtual meet up."
2021-2022 Teacher – Maggie Cordova Elementary School
Parent Quotes
"I was excited to go and thrilled with the experience!"
2021-2022 Parent
"He had so much fun making his habitat. He wants to do more!"
2021-2022 Parent
"My child enjoyed the team collaboration and the ability to come back to the school and share it with others in a local setting."
2021-2022 Parent
2022-2023
25 schools & 1,099 students
Link-Up Day event locations:
Albuquerque NM
Remote/Virtual
Participant Quotes
"My experience at Mission to Mars was awesome because I had fun building the habitats, presenting my life support system, and singing our saga."
2022-2023 Student – Inez Elementary School
"It was super fun preparing for the mission and going to link-up day. I learned a lot during the experience and I would love for others to experience it."
2022-2023 Student – Maggie Cordova Elementary School
"My favorite activity was taping and building the big habitats and Link-Up Day. It was my favorite because it was something that I had never done before and it was something new and cool that I learned how to do."
2022-2023 Student – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
"Visiting other habitat, the hard work they took to perfect theirs, just like ours. I loved listening to other people's saga and stuff, really cool and a tiring experience."
2022-2023 Student – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
"Mission to Mars is such a wonderful way to incorporate 21st Century Skills with experiential learning! Students worked really well together discussing, drawing, and designing their life support system. Measuring and cutting the plastic for the habitat really helped them understand conversion of inches to feet. Working with their team to put the habitat together and work through mistakes successfully reinforces a growth mindset and taking a deep breath."
2022-2023 Teacher – Inez Elementary School
"Pre field trip work took a lot of planning, effort, and time, but was worth it to come prepared for Link-Up Day."
2022-2023 Teacher – Osuna Elementary School
"The ability to have students think outside of the box and learn in a hands-on way is such a great opportunity!"
2022-2023 Teacher – Sombra Del Monte Elementary School
2023-2024
36 schools & 1,000+ students
Link-Up Day event location:
Albuquerque NM
Virtual