Our group is very interested in engaging and educating the public about planetary geology and astronomy. The images taken by the NASA’s Mars rover missions – which we use every day in our research – are some of the most stunning and captivating ever taken of a planetary surface, and they are excellent tools for fostering the public’s interest in space exploration. Dr. Melissa Rice is particularly interested in using her research at WWU to help inspire women and other underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Check out our recent outreach to the media and the public. If you would like a Martian from WWU to speak to your group, please contact Melissa directly (melissa.rice [at] wwu [dot] edu).

INTERVIEWS

• Melissa, Darian & Kathleen interviewed on Planetary Radio, 21 February 2018
• EOS Editor’s Vox, “Insights into the Habitability of Mars,” 17 May 2017
• King 5 TV News, 4 May 2017
• Bellingham Alive! Magazine, 26 April 2017
• Interview with Everett Public Radio, KSER-FM, 31 March 2017
• KPLU Sound Effect, August 2016
• Cascadia Weekly, June 2016
• Bellingham Herald, April 2015
• Western Window, Spring 2015 [PDF]
• NW Asian Weekly, February 2015
• Seattle Times, December 2014
• Wellesley College Magazine, Fall 2014

PUBLIC EVENTS

• Keynote Speaker, SPARK Museum Gala Fundraiser, 24 February 2018
• “A Conversation with Andy Weir, Author of The Martian,” Organized by Village Books at Bellingham High School, 30 November 2017
• “Transmissions: A Wake for Cassini,” The Shakedown, Bellingham, 15 September 2017
• “Exploring Mars with NASA’s Rover Missions,” Mars Camp, Central Washington University, 7 August 2017
• “Cosmic Nights,” H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver, 27 April 2017
• Keynote Speaker, Bellingham March for Science, 22 April 2017
• “The Past, Present and Future of Mars Exploration,” Everett Public Library, 8 April 2017
• “Driving Cars on Mars,” Rotary Club of Bellingham, 19 December 2016
• “Mars Invasion!” Public Event, Mt. Baker Theater, Bellingham, 27 June 2016
• “NASA’s Mars Rovers,” Girls Go Tech, Whatcom Community College, 16 April 2016
• “NASA’s Mars Rovers,” St. Paul’s Academy, 10 March 2016
• “NASA’s Mars Rovers,” Bellingham Bay Rotary Club, 9 February 2016
• “Driving Rovers on Mars,” Creators and Innovators Club (a robotics club for girls), Kulshan Middle School, 8 May 2015
• “Driving Cars on Mars: An Inside Look at the Science and Engineering of NASA’s Mars Rover Missions,” Class of 1953 Lecture, Darlington School, Rome, GA, April 2015
• “NASA’s Mars Rovers,” Kiwanis Club, Bellingham Golf and Country Club, February 2015