NASA says the first humans who will walk on Mars are walking on Earth today. In the spirit of exploration, visitors are invited to discover the pathway to Mars during The Next Giant Leap 2014-15 educational and exhibit season, only at the nonprofit Space Center Houston.

“Our goal is to show the public what NASA is doing now and in the future as it prepares for deep-space exploration,” said Dr. Melanie Johnson, Space Center Houston’s director of education and exhibits. “We want visitors to feel excitement and pride in NASA’s work when they hear the amazing story at our center.”

This season-long celebration will allow visitors to experience first-hand the wonder of exploration and the innovation of America’s human space flight program. The center has planned a rich line up of exhibits, special events and programs designed specifically with experiences the entire family will enjoy. Here are just a few of the upcoming events.

  • Oct. 8 – The Next Giant Leap: Beyond Planet Earth (fall exhibit opens)
  • Oct. 16 – Home School Day: Red Dust Leading to Endless Possibilities
  • Oct. 31 – Aliens and Asteroids
  • Nov. 14 – Global Student Summit Kick-off Party
  • Dec. 4 – Orion Launch Party 
  • Feb. 5-7 – Space Exploration Educators Conference
  • Feb. 19 – Unbelievable Universe: The Science of Ripley’s Believe It or Not (spring exhibit opens)
  • March 14 – Pi Day
  • March 14-22 – Ultimate Spring Break
  • April 18 – Earth Day family event
  • April 22 – Earth Day Student Challenge
  • May 1-2, 8, 15, 22 and 29 – May the Force Be With You (special activities the first Saturday and every Friday in May)
  • May 23 – Space: A Journey to Our Future (summer exhibit opens)
  • June 15-20 – Global Student Summit: Mars Trekkers 1
  • July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Train Like an Astronaut (every Wednesday in July)
  • July 25 – Train Like an Astronaut family event

For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.spacecenter.org.

The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit space museum with an extensive science education program. The cornerstone of its science education mission is Space Center Houston, which USA Today called “The Big Draw” in the greater Houston area with nearly 800,000 visitors annually and a $45 million economic impact on the greater Houston area. It is the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and draws more than 100,000 teachers and students annually from around the world. For more information, go to www.spacecenter.org.