Kids in Space. Argentina

Models of space shuttles helped students picture their real-world journey vehicles, but cyberspace helped them envision the journey. (Photograph by Pablo Cabado)

tudents in Argentina got so caught up in the "Mars Project" that they stunned their teacher. "Having them come to school during their holidays was unbelievable, and when they arrived punctually, day after day, I knew we were doing something right," noted Gabriel Rshaid, head of science at St. Peter's school outside of Buenos Aires.

Sitting in a makeshift space shuttle, a student watches a video of an actual shuttle launch. (Photograph by Pablo Cabado)

Gabriel and his students are already exploring the possibility of creating a website where visitors will be able to view the students' progress from the cockpit of a virtual space shuttle. A NASA official has offered server space for the ambitious concept. But in the meantime, Gabriel has his hands full keeping his own students informed about the daily project updates posted online by the global crew.

In Argentina, students gather to hear the update on the Mars journey. (Photograph by Pablo Cabado)