OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has a goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s, but to get there—and beyond—we must have the skilled workforce to get the job done.

Having long played a role in space exploration, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) launched Generation Beyond to inspire future engineers, scientists and innovators using in-class curriculum and digital resources. This September, Bay Area students and their families can experience Generation Beyond first-hand with a virtual field trip to the Red Planet on board the Mars Experience Bus. This one-of-a-kind virtual reality vehicle is designed to inspire students in STEM through an immersive experience driving on the surface of Mars.

"Imagine witnessing the moment when that first explorer leaves footprints in the red dust of the Martian surface," said Stephen Frick, former NASA astronaut and a director at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Palo Alto, California. "This is more than a dream. We are already planning to send humans to Mars in our lifetime, and we need the talents and enthusiasm of a new generation of explorers—like our students right here in the Bay Area—to lead the way."

For its first stop in California, the Mars Experience Bus will visit the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland from Sept. 9-11. Rides will be available during museum opening hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We are so happy to welcome the public to visit the Mars Bus and appreciate Lockheed Martin as part of Chabot's national network that brings current science to our community," said Adam Tobin, executive director of Chabot Space and Science Center.

Other public Bay Area locations have been pre-determined and will be announced in September. While unable to accommodate additional stop requests, interested school groups are invited to attend these public events to experience Generation Beyond and the Mars Bus.

Can't attend in person? Generation Beyond's learning resources, including engaging lesson plans with educator guides, family activities, and student exploration of space missions are available at www.generationbeyondinschool.com. Here, students can also enter a Mars video challenge, or download Lockheed Martin's "Hello Mars" app to check out just how different weather can be on the fourth planet from the Sun.

For additional photos and videos of the Mars Experience Bus, visit our Flickr site or YouTube.  

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 98,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Lockheed Martin Generation Beyond Inquiries:
Lauren Rohde, lauren.rohde@lmco.com

Lockheed Martin Media Contact:
Sydney Owens, sydney.c.owens@lmco.com

Chabot Space and Science Center:
Scott Horton; bluescott260@hotmail.com

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin