The engineering concentration is designed to prepare students for a career in engineering. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students will examine the dynamics of life on Mars. Students will consider the implications of technology and human interaction, the logistics of space travel, and colonization and establishment of a sustainable culture on Mars. Enrollment in a requisite list of classes will allow students to access the curriculum that will help them design solutions to the challenges facing future generations as they seek to expand our footprint in the solar system.

What is the Engineering Concentration?
Engineering Concentration is a four-year program culminating in a capstone project examining one of the challenges we face as our society considers colonization of Mars. This project will include a model, a research paper, oral defense of the topic, and an electronic component of the presentation (e.g. website, film).

What are the benchmarks for the program?
There will be a ‘benchmark’ project related to the question posed for each course. For example, in Chemistry the benchmark question will be, “How will fuel be produced and stored on Mars?” Students will create a product brief at the completion of each required course. This product brief will address the Mars related question for that course and will include a written portion and a visual component, such as 3D rendering or a photograph/picture. Detailed information on the project brief will be discussed with students in each class.

What classes do students have to pass to meet the requirement of the program?
Minimum of fifteen (15) credits in Engineering/Technology classes to qualify for the Capstone class.

Potential topics of investigation for the Senior Capstone: The following list is not comprehensive.  Rather, it is designed to demonstrate the breadth of the capstone.  Capston topics can address:

• Medical issues on Mars
• Hierarchy of a new society
• Ways to sustain life by developing a sustainable food and water supply
• Communication
• Transportation
• Protection of equipment from weather, environment
• Physiological concerns
• Post travel: How do we acclimate once we arrive?
• How do we deal with the limited amount of space on the vehicles bringing us there? (physics, social studies)
• How to address social issues as they arise in the second and third generations?