UWG Students Compete for over $2,500 in Prizes at Inaugural Mars ExpoShare this page
Over 120 University of West Georgia students showcased their visions for humanity’s future on Mars during the first-ever Mars Expo on Nov. 21, at UWG’s Newnan campus. Twenty student teams presented their fictional Mars colonies to community leaders, educators and the public, competing for over $2,500 in prizes funded by Yamaha and NASA’s Georgia Space Grant Consortium.
The innovative project brought together students from both the Newnan and Carrollton campuses, representing six different disciplines: English composition, quantitative reasoning, biology, American government, sociology and history.
What began as individual assignments in August evolved into a collaborative competition that challenged students to think critically about real-world problems, from governance and finance to sustainability and genetic engineering.
“We wanted to create an experience where students could see how the skills they’re developing in their freshman classes translate directly to career readiness,” said Melissa Jackson, assistant professor of First Year Writing and the project’s creative lead. “Whether they’re writing persuasive arguments, analyzing data or solving complex problems, students are discovering that these aren’t just academic exercises; they’re preparing for professional life.”
Student teams tackled ambitious questions: How will Mars colonists govern themselves? What economic systems will sustain a colony? How will residents maintain physical and mental wellness millions of miles from Earth? Each of the 20 colony teams developed a unique brand identity that reflected their approach to these challenges. Some teams planned to import livestock from Earth, while others explored genetic-engineering solutions tailored to Martian conditions.
The project represented months of planning and collaboration. Jackson, Brian Brodsky, and Dr. Andy Walter, associate dean of UWG’s University College and professor of geography, began developing the concept in April and secured $15,000 in grants from Yamaha and the Georgia Space Grant Consortium over the summer.
“UWG’s Mars Expo perfectly aligns with Yamaha’s commitment to developing future leaders,” said Kristen Webb, manager of communications and corporate social responsibility for Yamaha. “We’re excited to support an initiative that helps first-year students build the leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills that create real pathways to career readiness and workplace success.”
Students began working on their projects on the first day of class, Aug. 13, and were randomly assigned to colony teams in mid-September.
“This project activates students in a way that traditional assignments can’t,” said Walter. “By bringing together multiple disciplines to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems, students experience how professionals actually work; across departments, with diverse perspectives, toward a common goal.”
The Nov. 21 event featured 20 Yamaha team members serving as colony tour guides, leading attendees through two 90-minute presentation sessions. Community professionals included real estate agents, financial planners, business owners, lawyers, judges and educators served as “potential recruits,” voting for the colonies they’d be most willing to join. The winning colony team shared a $1,500 prize, with second place receiving $1,000 – divided equally among all team members. The day culminated with a keynote address and awards ceremony featuring Steve Swope, co-founder of The Rubicon Group and the Swope Family Fund.
Additional event highlights include a Mars VR walk courtesy of UWG’s Innovation Lab, an American literature forum discussing the influence and implications of science fiction and adventure literature, a Yamaha photo booth, a Yamaha side-by-side restyled for interplanetary use, and opportunities for students to network with community leaders and potential employers.
“This is the kind of experience that belongs on a resume or academic CV,” Jackson noted. “Students are developing critical thinking, creativity, communication, teamwork and public speaking skills while working on something exciting and innovative.”
Photography by Brian Carmichael