header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 18
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital


[KHTS] – Sounds of excitement, laughter and applause echoed from the multipurpose room at Valley View Elementary School in Canyon Country, as more than 50 kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students were exposed – some for the first time – to Mars exploration.

Two local Jet Propulsion Laboratory employees, Jennifer Trosper and Dennis Young, came to Valley View on Wednesday for a day of sessions to teach each grade level about NASA’s Mars program and what it takes to explore Mars through a rover.

Young is a lead project resource analyst at JPL. He led the session and kept it simple for the kindergarteners, explaining how Mars is farther from the sun than the earth and how scientists believe that their used to be liquid water on Mars.

rover021914He also talked about the hope to one day send people to Mars. The man or woman who will be the first person to set foot on Mars is likely sitting in a kindergarten somewhere today, Young told the students.

The students then had the chance to experience a Mars rover firsthand as it rolled across their backs, to demonstrate how a rover would drive over rocks on the Martian terrain.

The event will reach Valley View’s more than 600 kids by the end of the day, said Assistant Principal Julie McBride.

It is only one of five demonstrations in the Santa Clarita Valley this week.

Trosper and Young visited Legacy Christian Academy on Tuesday and will be at Santa Clarita Elementary School on Thursday and at Christ Lutheran Preschool on Friday.

There will also be a free event at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., organized by local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and open to all SCV students, first through fifth grade.

The point of these presentations is to get children excited about science and technology, said Trosper, who the deputy project manager for the Curiosity rover and has been doing Mars missions at JPL for 20 years.

“What we want to do is make sure kids find technology fun,” she said.

Math and science can seem dull until the students see it put into action, she said.

Trosper also tries to communicate with the kids at their level. While Young taught the kindergarten classes, Trosper met with Valley View’s special education students. She explained how the planets go around the sun and then let them interact with the Mars rover.

“It might be the thing that brings them to the next step in their development,” she said.

The goal was to inspire all the students to follow their dreams.

“What do you think is impossible that could be possible?” Trosper said that challenged the students to consider.

For more information about the free presentation at Santa Clarita United Methodist, call 818-237-0789.

 

About Jennifer Trosper

SCVTV File Photo

Jennifer Trosper | SCVTV File Photo

Jennifer Trosper graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, with a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering and a minor in music. She earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Southern California. She has worked at JPL since 1990 on a number of missions exploring the solar system. She is currently the Mars Curiosity deputy project manager, responsible for leading the Curiosity operational mission.

In 2013, she was named a JPL Fellow in Mars rover surface operations, received a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for Curiosity operations work and also received a “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” California Legislature award. Trosper lives in Santa Clarita.

 

About Dennis Young

Dennis Young has a bachelor of science degree in international business from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish from the University of Madrid, Spain. Dennis is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, has called three continents home and has traveled to 34 countries.

He has worked at JPL for 10 years on various space exploration missions and is currently the lead resource analyst on the Mars Curiosity mission. Young lives in Santa Clarita.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. I’m curious to find out what blog system you happen to be using?
    I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find
    something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?

  2. You actually make it seem really easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to be
    really one thing that I believe I would by no means understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely large for me. I’m
    having a look ahead on your next put up, I will
    attempt to get the hold of it!

  3. Thanks on your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and may come back in the foreseeable future.

    I want to encourage one to continue your great writing,
    have a nice holiday weekend!

Leave a Comment


LOCAL SCHOOL LINKS
Related Content
LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Monday, Sep 16, 2024
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced upcoming community information meetings about Learning Post Academy Independent Study School, Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19.
Monday, Sep 16, 2024
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, Sept. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Sep 16, 2024
West Ranch High School’s Studio A Jazz Band will be the opening act for the Huntertones, a Brooklyn-based sextet, who are coming to the Santa Clarita Valley for a one-night performance.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: “The All Valley Showcase” Comes to Valencia High This Month
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
Take a Virtual Tour of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
As part of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring local groundwater quality and reliability, the SCV Water recently began construction on a new treatment facility to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds at Well 205 in Valencia.
SCV Water Begins New Water Treatment Project in Valencia
Get ready to set sail at the Pirates SENSES Block Party, presented by the city of Santa Clarita, Thursday, Sept 19 from 7-10 p.m. on main street in Old Town Newhall.
Sept. 19: SENSES Pirate Block Party
No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
No. 21 Canyons Knocks Off No. 5 Fullerton 29-13
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Foothill League Football Begins for SCV Teams
The California Institute of the Arts will present the "NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball", Friday, Oct. 4, 7-11 p.m. at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Oct. 4: NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball at Cal Arts
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm.
Public Health Investigating Disease Spread from Animals to Humans
1879 - First official Newhall School building erected near Walnut & Ninth streets [story]
First Newhall School
The city of Santa Clarita is hosting Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 and is looking for enthusiastic residents to volunteer for various projects that benefit local nonprofits, as well as the city.
Oct. 26: Volunteers Needed for Make a Difference Day
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and PathPoint announced the graduation of Aiden Land and Andrew Mendence from the Project SEARCH internship program.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, PathPoint Celebrate Grad Interns
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced upcoming community information meetings about Learning Post Academy Independent Study School, Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19.
Sept. 18-19: Learning Post Academy Online Information Meetings
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m. in open session to interview and appoint a new trustee for Area 5.
Sept. 18: COC Board to Interview, Appoint Area 5 Trustee
The city of Santa Clarita wants to remind residents that volunteer registration is open for the 29th Annual River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo scheduled for next Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the William S. Hart Pony Baseball and Softball Complex, 23780 Auto Center Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Sept. 20: Last Chance to Register for the River Rally
The California Highway Patrol is dedicating Sept. 15-21 to promoting child passenger safety across California, focusing on the protection of the state’s youngest road users.
CHP Emphasizes Child Safety for National Child Passenger Safety Week
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, Sept. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 17: SUSD Regular Board Meeting
West Ranch High School’s Studio A Jazz Band will be the opening act for the Huntertones, a Brooklyn-based sextet, who are coming to the Santa Clarita Valley for a one-night performance.
Sept 30: West Ranch Jazz Band to Open for Huntertones
SCVNews.com