Space Day.

This year, the sixth annual Space Day (to be held May 3, 2002) is all about the red planet-Mars! As in previous years, teachers and students can participate in the annual Space Day online "Design Challenges" contest. The contest is divided into three categories: "Inventors Wanted," "Mission Explore," and "Space Day Star." Students in grades 4-6 and 7-8 must create projects that involve inventing a device that will make living and working on Mars easier, developing a rover that can collect data on another planet, or creating an electronic newspaper to transmit information about life on Mars. These projects can be so extensive that it usually takes students months to prepare. Many teachers incorporate the project challenges into their ongoing curriculum. All participating Design Challenge teams that submit solutions by the March 1, 2002, deadline will receive a certificate of appreciation signed by Space Day 2002 cochair Senator John Glenn. The Educational Advisory Committee for Space Day will then choose "Stel lar Solution" teams who will be recognized at the Space Day 2002 ceremony on May 2, 2002, in Washington, DC. For details and online registration for the contest, and for space-related lesson plans for teachers, visit www.spaceday.com