In the News โ€” MARS Microschool
Media & Press

In the
News.

Coverage of MARS Microschool, Jennifer's published writing, and her Substack โ€” following the AI education revolution from Huntsville, Alabama.

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โœฆ Jennifer's Substack
The AI-Forward
Educator

Jennifer writes about building the future of education โ€” microschools, AI in the classroom, school choice policy, and what it really takes to prepare kids for the world they'll actually live in.

JW
Jennifer Wolverton
Founder & CEO, MARS Microschool ยท Microsoft Innovative Educator
Jennifer From MARS | Substack โ†’
Free to subscribe ยท New posts regularly
MARS Weekly Dispatch โ€” Issue #9 | Mars in the Field
Issue #09  ยท  Week of April 20, 2026
Mars in the Field
Applications Are
Coming In Daily!
// Status
Open Enrollment
// Location
US Space & Rocket Center
// Seats
Limited โ€” Fall 2026
01 // Shadow Day

This week, three bright prospective students came to campus for Shadow Day โ€” spending a full day inside MARS to experience firsthand what life on campus is really like. The energy was electric, and we're so grateful to the parents who made time to bring them in.

โšก Enrollment Alert
Spaces are almost full for Fall 2026. If you've been thinking about MARS but still have questions, now is the time to act. Schedule a Discovery Call before it's too late โ€” seats won't last.
Shadow Day at MARS โ€” students working on laptops
๐Ÿ“ธ Shadow Day at MARS
Prospective students got a real look at campus life โ€” working alongside our learners, experiencing the MARS environment firsthand.
๐Ÿ“… Book Your Call
Schedule a Discovery Call
Get your questions answered directly. Scan the QR code or click below to find a time that works for your family.
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3
Bright Students
on Shadow Day
โšก
Spaces Almost
Full โ€” Fall 2026
โ†’
Discovery Call
Available Now
02 // Students Take the Stage

๐ŸŽค MARS Microschool learners are heading to Atlanta! Our students are presenting "The MARS Tech Stack" โ€” showcasing how student-led hybrid learning turns curiosity into real building: AI, coding, robotics, drones, data analytics, and certifications.

Come get practical ideas you can use immediately. This is what happens when students are trusted to lead.

National Hybrid Schools Conference 2026 โ€” MARS Microschool presenting The MARS Tech Stack
๐Ÿ† National Hybrid Schools Conference 2026
April 23โ€“25 ยท Atlanta, GA ยท Hosted by Kennesaw State University โ€” MARS students presenting "The MARS Tech Stack"
03 // Jennifer Featured at Neurodiverse Summit

Our CEO Jennifer Wolverton is featured at the 6th Neurodiverse Homeschooling Summit โ€” a free virtual event running May 6โ€“21. Jennifer will be speaking on "How to Use Technology in Homeschooling" alongside host Afsaneh Moradian.

Jennifer Wolverton โ€” 6th Neurodiverse Homeschooling Summit
๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Free Virtual Event ยท May 6โ€“21
Register free at mlccoaching.com/summit-registration โ€” Jennifer Wolverton on How to Use Technology in Homeschooling
Rocket Drones โ€” National Student Drone Competition
MARS Microschool โ€” We Are Competing!
MARS Microschool is headed to the National Student Drone Competition

At MARS Microschool, we use Rocket Drones equipment to teach our physics class โ€” and we absolutely love it. This year our students learned to fly drones while exploring the real-world ins and outs of physics. Now we're taking it to the next level and competing at Space Camp in Huntsville, AL. We hope to see you there cheering us on!

● We Are Competing!
Apr 30 โ€“ May 1, 2026
Space Camp, AL
// Rocket Drones โ€” National Competition
● Space Camp โ€” Huntsville, AL ◆ Apr 30 โ€“ May 1, 2026 โ€” All Schools Welcome
Register Your School
Take Flight Nationally
// Venue
U.S. Space & Rocket Center
// Dates
Apr 30 โ€“ May 1, 2026
// Format
Flexible 1โ€“2 Day Event
// Events
5 Competition Categories
MARS MICROSCHOOL IS COMPETINGAPR 30 – MAY 1, 2026SPACE CAMP HUNTSVILLE ALDRONE RACING · LANDING · DELIVERY · BASKETBALL · FPVALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOMENO EXPERIENCE REQUIREDLIVE RESULTS IN REAL TIMEMARS MICROSCHOOL IS COMPETINGAPR 30 – MAY 1, 2026SPACE CAMP HUNTSVILLE ALDRONE RACING · LANDING · DELIVERY · BASKETBALL · FPVALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOMENO EXPERIENCE REQUIREDLIVE RESULTS IN REAL TIME

The Rocket Drones National Student Drone Competition is held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center โ€” home of Space Camp โ€” in Huntsville, Alabama. No equipment required. No experience needed. Anyone can participate. Live results are posted in real time on the Rocket Drones portal.

// What's Included

5 thrilling competition events testing skill, precision & innovation · Awards ceremony with industry professionals · Commercial drone career panel · Space Camp exploration day with full access to exhibits · 4 hours of teacher professional development

// Competition Events
Experience five thrilling drone competition events designed to test skill, precision, and innovation
01
Drone Racing (Line of Sight)
High-speed racing showcases the very best of drone piloting โ€” compete through challenging courses and enjoy the thrill of competition at its finest.
Racing
02
Dynamic Landing Challenge
A precision flying challenge that tests your landing skills. Technical mastery required โ€” connect with fellow pilots and stick the perfect touchdown.
Precision
03
Drone Delivery Challenges
Pushes drones to handle tight turns, altitude shifts, and timed drop-offs โ€” all while keeping cargo steady and secure under pressure.
Cargo
04
Drone Basketball Challenges
Tests agility, accuracy, and control as drones weave through obstacles, hover in tight angles, and sink precision shots into elevated hoops.
Agility
05
Drone Racing (First-Person View)
Cutting-edge esports-style drone racing in virtual environments โ€” plus the ultimate tiebreaker challenge to determine the final champions.
FPV · Esports
// Participation Rules
  • Students may compete in up to two categories
  • All competitors must be registered through a school
  • Teacher supervision required for all students
  • No prior drone experience required
// Awards & Recognition
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for each event
  • Official trophies and sponsor merchandise
  • Live results posted in real-time on the portal
  • Awards ceremony with industry professionals
// Why Attend?
No Experience Needed
Perfect for beginners and experienced pilots alike
Learn at Your Pace
Compete and explore with personalized support
Try Before You Buy
Experience Rocket Drones firsthand before adopting
Iconic STEM Destination
Combine drone education with Space Camp experiences
Professional Development
4 hours of teacher training included
Future-Focused Learning
Learn, fly, and explore the future together
// No Rocket Drones? No Problem.
Anyone Can Participate โ€” You don't need Rocket Drones equipment to compete.

Before competition begins, all students will have access to Rocket Drones Training Sessions, guided practice time, and hands-on experience with systems and simulators โ€” students can learn the basics, build confidence, and step into competition all in the same event.

🎓
Rocket Drones Training
Comprehensive instruction from certified instructors
🕹
Guided Practice Time
Warm-up sessions to build confidence before competing
🚁
Hands-On Experience
Direct access to drone systems and simulators
🤝
Expert Support
Guidance from instructors and event staff throughout
// Skill Level
All levels welcome. Multiple events structured for beginners through advanced pilots.
// Attendance
Flexible format. Attend one day or both to fully explore Space Camp and the Rocket Center.
// FAA Certification
Students 16+ can earn their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate โ€” completable in as little as 10 days.
// Ongoing Events
Monthly simulator leaderboard challenges and multiplayer events with other schools year-round.
// How to Register
1
Click Register Your School below โ€” links directly to spacecamp.rocketdrones.com
2
Fill out the form or schedule a one-on-one meeting with the Rocket Drones team
3
No equipment or experience needed โ€” Rocket Drones provides full educator onboarding and virtual support
MARS Microschool โ€” Course Updates
// 02   Course Updates
โ†‘ TOP
Course Updates  ยท  Issue #9  ยท  Week of April 12, 2026
AI ART UNIT NOW LIVESTEMQUEST WEEKLY TASKS UPDATEDMINECRAFT EDUCATION ACCESS INCLUDEDNEW COMMUNITY GALLERY OPENAI WRITING UNIT ENROLLINGSUBSCRIBE FOR $10/MONTHAI ART UNIT NOW LIVESTEMQUEST WEEKLY TASKS UPDATEDMINECRAFT EDUCATION ACCESS INCLUDEDNEW COMMUNITY GALLERY OPENAI WRITING UNIT ENROLLINGSUBSCRIBE FOR $10/MONTH
Creative Learning โ€” Units 1 & 2
A Creative Journey from
Imagination to Expression

Units 1 and 2 explore how technology can expand creativity without replacing human imagination. Exploring AI Art and AI Writing & Storytelling โ€” click either unit below to enroll.

Unit 1: Exploring AI Art โ€” steampunk robot creating artwork
// Unit 1
Exploring AI Art

Students become visual world-builders, using AI as a creative tool to design characters, landscapes, and creatures โ€” learning how technology can amplify imagination. Grades 6โ€“12.


Start Unit 1 โ†—
Unit 2: AI Writing and Storytelling โ€” fantasy book world
// Unit 2
AI Writing & Storytelling

Learners step into the role of story architects โ€” developing characters, dialogue, and plot while using AI as a thoughtful creative partner. Build a full writing portfolio.


Start Unit 2 โ†—

Together these units guide students through a full creative cycle โ€” designing, writing, and refining ideas โ€” while strengthening storytelling skills, multimodal thinking, and confidence.

StemQuest โ€” Minecraft-style glowing blocks
Add-On Subscription
StemQuest
Your weekly mission hub for curious minds
$10
per month
Weekly Tasks
Fresh challenges and missions dropped every week to keep learning active and exciting
Worksheets & Resources
Printable and digital worksheets aligned to each unit โ€” ready to use, no prep needed
Minecraft Education
Full access to Minecraft Education Edition โ€” build, explore, and learn in immersive worlds
Your Own Community
Share your work, connect with other learners, and get inspired in a safe, moderated space
Subscribe Now โ€” $10/mo โ†— View Full Curriculum โ†—
Cancel anytime  ยท  No commitment required

MARS Microschool

INNOVATE ยท CREATE ยท PIONEER

A technology-forward microschool for secondary students. We're not just preparing students for the futureโ€”we're building it with them through AI, robotics, and project-based learning.

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