Pioneering STEM Education since the 1970s

Mathematics, science and logical thought processes are the foundation of engineering, science and technology.

A thorough understanding of their fundamentals and interrelationships is essential.

Without this understanding, there is little potential for both an informed government, capable of offering reasonable legislative choices, and an educated electorate, capable of understanding the choices and making the wise decisions necessary to ensure a productive and secure future.

~ James E. Tillman, Viking Mars Mission, Meteorology Team Member

We began inspiring youth in 1979

Professor James E. Tillman began inspiring youth in their pursuit of the sciences in the 70s and 80s. He spoke at schools around Washington and other regions, bringing instruments and diagrams from the Viking Mission to Mars and asking questions to pique the curiosity of his young audiences.

The VIking Mars Lander, was used as an inspiration to build spacecraft, orbiters, and Mars rovers, as can be seen in these photographs from the 1970s and 1980s. It was the beginning of exploration for many, and from this and other early educational programs, a generation of new explorers evolved.

Students were introduced to engineering and science designs and concepts through outreach by James E. Tillman and his daughter Rachel. They can be seen viewing VIking artifacts below including the Viking Lander Tape Recorder, Viking Meteorology instruments, and education materials developed for outreach.

VMMEPP Brings Viking  to life...

with experiences and artifacts to education and inspire future Leaders and Thinkers. In 2016, the 40th Anniversary Year of the Viking mission we led, supported, and participated in over 15 events across the country including England, Mexico, and France. Enjoy these images from past events.

Outreach & Education at Barnes & Noble Stores

Denver s Littleton Barnes & Noble featured Viking events in 2015/2016

The Viking 40th Anniversary Reunion

The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation Project (VMMEPP) led the 40th Anniversary planning and instigated events around the country. The Viking Reunion was held in Denver, CO and brought together over 150 individuals that worked on the Viking Mars mission in this first Anniversary celebration open to ALL Viking contributors from around the globe. This celebration, along with all VMMEPP events, embraces the precedent set by Viking Mission Director Jim Martin of a “badgeless Team”. 

The VMMEPP event included an all day “Meet the Vikings” educational event with Presenters from around the country inspired by the Viking Mission, as well as Viking Team Members acting as Docents and sharing their experiences. Team Members were honored in a surprise ceremony by over 30 individuals whos lives were changed by Viking, representing current and future leaders both in aerospace and other fields. 

The event took place at at Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum​, ​and was Sponsored by Lockheed Martin and supported by Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, The Space Foundation, AIAA Education Committee, and private donors.

Photo by Viking, Al Treder

Photo by Viking, Al Treder

Photo by Viking, Al Treder

Photo by VMMEPP

Students from the Denver Film School were the VCC, Viking Camera Crew for the event.

Viking Mission Intern Richard Fienberg shared his 40th Anniversary experience with Sky & Telescope

Renowned Space Writer Leonard David ​spoke at and shares his experience of the 40th Viking Anniversary Reunion. 

VMMEPP led our first #MarsMaker event at OMSI

Kids from 4 to 15 worked together to build an artistic representation fo the Viking Lander using scrap materials. Volunteers from our Partner ADX Maker Space and VMMEPP helped guide kids in this engineering and teamwork activity. 

Keep up with the latest VMMEPP events!