Our twenty-five scholars emigrated to Mars on a recent Sunday afternoon, as part of a special training mission at the Challenger Learning Center.

During the week before their trip, our students spent time in self-study learning about immigration and the reasons people leave their homes. Then, they prepared for their trip to Mars by packing their essential personal belongings.
Since the room on the space craft was limited, students were only allowed one gallon size storage bag of items. Some students brought practical items: duct tape, tape measures, and grooming items, while others brought stuffed animals, cell phones, and cologne.

Before they left for Mars, Commander Janet Moore informed the students of the purpose of their emigration. Global warming had caused the polar ice caps to melt, destroying many coastal cities. Famine, plague, and overcrowding in the remaining cities on Earth made emigration to other planets essential for survival.

Then, the students lifted off to Mars. When the students stepped off the spacecraft, they noticed signs, such as "Earthlings go home." Apparently, not all Martians welcomed the citizens from Earth.

Then, the students were greeted by a fellow Earthling that had "influence" with the Martians. He offered to help them with their paperwork in exchange for their personal items. Many initially chose to attempt the process on their own.
They stepped into a room that resembled a futuristic Ellis Island. Martians manned stations that the students had to complete before being allowed to stay on Mars. They completed forms, had their belongings inspected and even confiscated, and had to complete a medical check and i.d. process.

Immediately, the language barrier became a problem. The Martians only spoke their own language and often yelled at the students and even laughed at them if they did not understand. A few unlucky students who marked incorrect boxes on forms ended up in the detention area.

By the end, many had resorted to paying the experienced Earthling to get them thru the process. Despite his interventions, some students still had their names changed and some ended up being forced to serve in the Martian Army as their job.

The students had a lively discussion after the mission. As homework, they will be journaling on how they feel about immigration. We will be featuring some of their responses on our web site.