For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Sam Ximenes
Phone: 210-404-2981
Email address: [email protected] 

MOON CAVE EXPLORED BY WEX FOUNDATION LEAP2 PROJECT TEAM

Consulting Team Delivers Lunar Terrain Model for Robotic Reconnaissance Studies
San Marcos, TX - July 14, 2015 - WEX Foundation took delivery of a large 1/50th scale lunar terrain model replica of the Marius Hills skylight, a lunar pit over 45 meters deep believed to be the entrance to a lunar lava tube cave. The model was created by a consulting team of students from Hays County Lehman High School enrolled in the Skillpoint Velocity Prep STEM program. The model was built and used by the students to explore various robotic reconnaissance concepts for entering the pit and accessing the cave for scientific measurements. A demonstration video of their robotic solution is posted to the WEX Foundation Facebook page.

Marius Hills Lunar Pit Model

Board Chair of the WEX Foundation, Sam Ximenes, said the learning experience the students encountered has encouraged team members to continue gaining knowledge and skills needed for space exploration. The team is currently raising funds to send a member of their team to a US Geological Survey workshop to learn planetary mapping skills. The public can contribute to helping the students reach their goal by visiting:

 https://www.classy.org/events/leap2-astrogeology-scholarship-fund/e53587

 

WEX Foundation uses LEAP2 (Lunar Ecosystem and Architectural Prototype) as a framework for offering STEM education experiences to students using real world project challenges to help solve various technology solutions. The WEX Foundation LEAP2 STEM Education program is the educational outreach component of the commercial LEAP2 lunar site development program being developed by an international consortium of aerospace industry organizations. LEAP2 STEM challenges' provide students with a real world connection to a compelling need with direct tie to industry and aerospace professionals. The objective is to offer students project-based learning with a meaningful product at the end.

 
About WEX Foundation

WEX Foundation, is a non-profit organization based in San Antonio, TX. It advances middle and high school education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects by integrating space exploration technology with project-based learning, with the ultimate goal of creating a robust space technology workforce that will enable people to live on other planets. Follow us on Facebook.
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