[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2461-E2462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           ADLER PLANETARIUM AND THE MARS MILLENNIUM PROJECT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to recognize 
one of Chicago's premier institutions, the Adler Planetarium and 
Astronomy Museum, as they kick-off their contribution to the Mars 
Millennium Project and celebrate the grand reopening of their landmark 
building on October 1st.
  Located on Chicago's beautiful lakefront, the Adler was founded in 
1930 by Max Adler ``to be the foremost institution for the 
interpretation of the exploration of the Universe to the broadest 
possible audience.'' To help fulfill this mission, the Adler has become 
actively involved in the Mars Millennium Project using its 
StarRiderTM Theater Mars Millennium Show as the centerpiece 
of their contribution.
  The Mars Millennium Project is an official White House Millennium 
Council Youth Initiative, challenging students across the nation to 
design a community yet-to-be-imagined--for the planet Mars. This 
national arts, sciences and technology education initiative is guided 
by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration and its Jet Propulsion Lab, the National Endowment for 
the Arts, the J. Paul Getty and others.
  The world's first StarRiderTM Theater is a 3D interactive 
virtual reality experience, which will transport visitors on a voyage 
to Mars and allows the audience to participate in developing a viable 
Martian colony. The audience flys over Mars, picks a place for their 
colony and then designs the architecture, cultural icons and symbols 
that will make the colony unique.
  The Adler is working with the Illinois State Board of Education and 
the Chicago Public Schools Teachers Academy for Professional 
Development to involve classrooms from across Illinois in the Mars 
Millennium Project.

[[Page E2462]]

Throughout the project year, teachers will engage their students in 
project-based learning opportunities that will result in the 
development of student-created Mars colonies and Web pages.
  Mr. Speaker, as we move into the Millennium it is important to engage 
the public in science and technology. The Adler's work with the Mars 
Millennium Program through the StarRiderTM Theater and the 
reopening of their historic dome marks the advent of new era for the 
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum.

                          ____________________