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MARS Dispatch — Applications Are Coming In Daily

Issue #9 · Week of April 20, 2026

MARS in the Field

Applications Are
Coming In Daily!

// Status

Open Enrollment

// Location

US Space & Rocket Center

// Ratio

Limited — Fall 2026

01 // Shadow Day

This week, three bright prospective students came to campus for Shadow Day — 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.

⚡ 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 — seats won't last.

// Shadow Day at MARS

Prospective students got a real look at campus life — working alongside our learners, experiencing the MARS environment firsthand.

// 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.

👥

Bright Students
on Shadow Day

⚡

Full

Spaces Almost Full
— Fall 2026

→

Call

Discovery Call
Available Now

📅 Schedule Discovery Call Apply Now ↗ Learn More ↗

MARS Dispatch — Upcoming Conferences

MARS on the Stage

Upcoming Conferences

Jennifer & the MARS community are showing up — here's where to find us next

// Event 01 · Virtual

May 6 – 21, 2026 Free Virtual

6th Neurodiverse Homeschooling Summit flyer

The 6th Neurodiverse Homeschooling Summit

Jennifer Wolverton is featured as a speaker at this free virtual event, presenting on "How to Use Technology in Homeschooling." Hosted by Afsaneh Moradian, the summit runs May 6–21 and is open to all homeschooling families. Grab your free virtual ticket and hear Jennifer share what's working at MARS — and how tech can transform learning at home.

Get Free Ticket ↗ About MARS ↗

// Event 02 · In Person

Apr 23 – 25, 2026 Atlanta, GA

National Hybrid Schools Conference 2026

MARS Microschool students are taking the stage at Kennesaw State University to present "The MARS Tech Stack" — a live presentation showcasing how our Trailblazers use technology to build, create, and solve real problems. Featuring students Logan, Ben & Isaac, and Aleksandra, alongside CEO Jennifer Wolverton. This is MARS showing the world what student-led learning looks like.

Visit Our Website ↗ Register Here ↗

MARS Microschool — Course Updates

Course Updates · Issue #9 · 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 — 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 — click either unit below to enroll.

// Unit 1

Exploring AI Art

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

Enroll Now ↗

Start Unit 1 ↗

// Unit 2

AI Writing & Storytelling

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

Enroll Now ↗

Start Unit 2 ↗

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

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MARS Dispatch — Cyber Safety Tech Spotlight

Issue #9 · Week of April 20, 2026

Tech Spotlight

Cyber Safety:
Watch the Replay

📅

Originally Aired — Sunday, April 19th at 1:00 PM

Facebook Live · Now available on YouTube · Free to watch

Free Replay

// What This Event Was About

Cyber Safety: Protecting Your Child Online

Keeping kids safe online can feel overwhelming — especially as technology and social media change so fast. In this free session, we talked through what parents and educators actually need to know to help kids and teens navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Mercy Clara

Cybersecurity Engineering Student · George Mason University
Led this session as part of her college coursework — bringing real technical expertise

// In the Replay, You'll Learn

Common online risks facing kids and teens — what they are and why they matter

Simple, practical protections you can set up at home right now

Honest conversations about social media dangers and digital risks

How to open better communication with your child about online safety

Live Q&A answers to real parent questions asked during the session

This event was originally streamed live on Facebook and is now available on YouTube so more families and educators can access these important conversations. The full session runs just over an hour and is packed with practical, actionable guidance.

MARS LIVE — REPLAY

1:08:50

// MARS Microschool on YouTube

Cyber Safety: Protecting Your Child Online

Click to watch the full replay · youtu.be/KVc-hoaCQIE

If you missed the live event, this is your chance to catch everything you need to help keep your kids safe online. Share it with other parents, educators, or anyone who might benefit.

▶ Watch the Replay ↗ Follow on Facebook ↗ Visit MARS ↗

MARS Dispatch — Stay Connected

Stay Connected

Stay in the Know!

Follow MARS on Social Media for our latest news and updates

MARS Dispatch — Stay in the Know

Stay in the Know

Articles Worth a Read

Voices from inside the MARS community — stories, reflections, and ideas

✍️

Tanya Waller

Apr 18, 2026

What MARS Feels Like from the Inside

A student's perspective on community, confidence, and finding your place in tech

One of our students was asked to describe MARS — not as a program, but as a place. What she wrote is honest, thoughtful, and deeply reflective of what we hope every learner feels when they walk through our doors.

To the Founders Carrying the Weight Quietly

What It Takes to Build Something That Truly Matters

A letter to every founder who shows up daily carrying a mission bigger than themselves — written from the perspective of someone who believes deeply in what MARS is building and why it matters.

Inside Our World for Three Hours

A Shadow Day at MARS and the Power of Small Schools Done Right

Once a year, MARS opens its doors to curious families. Three hours is barely a glimpse — but it's enough to feel something real. A reflection on Shadow Day, what new families see, and what our students already know.

What I Saw Inside Microsoft — and What It Means for the Future of Schools

Jennifer walked into Microsoft's Midtown Atlanta space expecting energy — and found something more. A reflection on innovation, education, and why the future belongs to those building it right now.

Read on Substack →

Rocket Drones — National Student Drone Competition

// Rocket Drones — National Competition

Take Flight Nationally

The Rocket Drones National Student Drone Competition is held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. No equipment or experience needed — anyone can participate. All schools are welcome.

// Venue

Space Camp, Huntsville AL

// Dates

Apr 30 – May 1, 2026

// Events

5 Competition Categories

MARS MICROSCHOOL IS COMPETINGAPR 30 – MAY 1, 2026SPACE CAMP HUNTSVILLE ALDRONE RACING · LANDING · DELIVERY · BASKETBALL · FPVALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOMENO EXPERIENCE REQUIREDMARS MICROSCHOOL IS COMPETINGAPR 30 – MAY 1, 2026SPACE CAMP HUNTSVILLE ALDRONE RACING · LANDING · DELIVERY · BASKETBALL · FPVALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOMENO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

// Competition Events

Drone Racing (Line of Sight)Racing

Dynamic Landing ChallengePrecision

Drone Delivery ChallengeCargo

Drone Basketball ChallengeAgility

Drone Racing (First-Person View)FPV · Esports

MARS Microschool

// Ready to get started?

Ready to Bring MARS to Your Learners?

See how MARS can support your child's creativity, problem-solving, and future-ready skills — in just a short, focused session with our team. Want to learn more? Schedule a Discovery Call today.

Schedule a Call ↗

MARS Microschool

INNOVATE · CREATE · PIONEER

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

Programs

Unit Studies

Summit (Grades 9-12)

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