Boston Museum of Science Launches 'Mission: Mars' on Roblox

The Museum of Science in Boston is making strides in online education by venturing into the metaverse through Roblox with its latest offering, "Mission: Mars." Developed in collaboration with Filament Games, this interactive experience challenges participants to design and refine vehicles suitable for navigating the red planet.

"Mission: Mars" marks the Museum's debut on the global Roblox platform, renowned for its immersive 3D experiences. Through this educational initiative, the Museum aims to involve students of various ages in the Engineering Design Process, fostering collaboration in the creation of vehicles for Mars exploration and mission completion.

Inaugural Experience Under Roblox Community Fund

This endeavor is especially noteworthy as the Museum of Science becomes the first institution to launch an experience under the Roblox Community Fund (RCF), established in November 2021 with an initial endowment of $10 million. The RCF empowers educational organizations to create innovative and engaging learning experiences on Roblox, with the Museum of Science seeking to enhance equity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

The "Mission: Mars" experience provides a science standards-aligned digital learning environment. Participants engage in a simulated Martian exploration, undertaking tasks such as navigating a high-tech Mars Rover, completing level-based missions to discover evidence of water, collecting water ice samples, and rescuing fellow explorers. The experience also incorporates a creative aspect, allowing players to design and build their own vehicles, earning experience points and rewards.

Breaking Barriers and Reaching 100 Million Learners Globally by 2030

Tim Ritchie, President of the Museum of Science, envisions broader ambitions for the institution, stating, "The Museum’s entry into the metaverse is part of our aspiration to reach 100 million people in museums, classrooms, and online by 2030, breaking down barriers to engagement and creating greater equity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education." This move aligns with the Museum's commitment to not only be a popular destination but also to embrace new educational frontiers in the metaverse. The integration of Roblox with "Mission: Mars" showcases the evolving landscape of educational tools, emphasizing the transformative potential of metaverse technology in shaping the future of education.