GYP Interview with Nicole Willett on GYP YouTube Channel
Global Youth Philanthropy (GYP) recently had the opportunity to interview The Mars Society educator and science leader Nicole Willett about the organization’s annual Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition — an international STEM program that challenges students to design realistic human missions to Mars.
With participants from around the world, the competition combines science, engineering, teamwork, leadership, and creativity while encouraging students to think critically about the future of space exploration.
“Science Is for Everyone”
During the interview, Nicole emphasized that one of the program’s core missions is accessibility and inclusion.
“Science is for everyone, not just an elite few who can afford it.”
The competition welcomes middle school and high school students from all backgrounds, including those with little or no prior engineering experience. According to Nicole, curiosity, dedication, and teamwork matter more than technical expertise.
Students work in teams to design a 1.5-year human mission to Mars while balancing real-world constraints such as:
- astronaut safety
- food and water systems
- power generation
- habitat design
- scientific exploration
- communication delays with Earth
- crew psychology and teamwork
The experience encourages students to combine scientific research with practical problem-solving.
A Real-World STEM Experience
Unlike many traditional STEM competitions, the Mission to Mars program simulates the complexity of actual aerospace mission planning.
Students must:
- write a 25-page technical report
- prepare a professional presentation
- defend their mission proposal
- critique other teams’ designs
- respond to constructive feedback
Nicole explained that one of the most valuable parts of the competition is learning how to collaborate and adapt:
“It’s okay to accept constructive criticism. It’s also okay to defend your reasoning. And sometimes it’s okay to change your mind.”
The competition also teaches students how to divide responsibilities effectively across engineering, science, and human operations teams — similar to real aerospace missions.
Learning from NASA Scientists and Space Experts
One of the program’s most unique features is direct interaction with professionals in the space industry.
Students can attend live online talks from:
- NASA scientists
- aerospace engineers
- Mars researchers
- industry professionals
- leaders from The Mars Society
Nicole shared that students even have opportunities to ask questions directly to Robert Zubrin, one of the world’s leading Mars exploration advocates.
Many guest experts continue answering student questions even after presentations, giving participants rare mentorship opportunities that are often unavailable in standard classroom settings.
More Than Engineering: The Human Side of Space Exploration
The competition is not only about technology. Nicole repeatedly stressed the importance of understanding human needs and emotions during long-duration space missions.
Students are challenged to think about questions such as:
- What happens if astronauts disagree?
- How should crews manage stress and isolation?
- What happens if a medical emergency occurs on Mars?
- How do astronauts maintain mental well-being millions of kilometers away from Earth?
These discussions encourage students to develop interdisciplinary thinking that combines science, psychology, communication, leadership, and ethics.
The Importance of Storytelling and Media
As GYP continues promoting youth storytelling, journalism, and digital media projects, Nicole also highlighted the role of films, media, and storytelling in inspiring future scientists.
She referenced popular science-fiction works such as:
- The Martian
- Interstellar
- Project Hail Mary
According to Nicole, storytelling helps transform complicated scientific concepts into exciting and relatable human experiences.
“Films, podcasts, and journalism can turn technical mission designs into compelling visions of future exploration.”
She also emphasized that media representation can inspire younger students to explore STEM careers and participate in scientific programs.
Building Future Careers in STEM
Nicole shared that many former participants continue contributing to the competition years later as mentors and team leaders.
Students have also used their competition experience:
- in college applications
- for recommendation letters
- in STEM scholarship applications
- to pursue careers in aerospace and planetary science
The program encourages innovation, systems-level thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration — skills that are increasingly important for the future workforce in space exploration, robotics, medicine, and engineering.
Scholarships and Global Participation
To ensure wider accessibility, the competition offers scholarship opportunities for students who may not be able to afford registration costs.
Nicole emphasized that the goal is to make STEM education available internationally regardless of financial background.
The competition is fully online, allowing students from around the world to participate collaboratively across time zones.
Looking Ahead
The Mars Society plans to continue expanding the program internationally by:
- adding more expert guest speakers
- increasing mentorship opportunities
- publishing student mission designs
- integrating emerging Mars technologies
- building new educational partnerships
Nicole also expressed excitement about previous participants continuing to mentor future students, helping create a growing global STEM community.
Final Thoughts
The interview highlighted how programs like the Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition are helping students move beyond textbooks and into real-world scientific thinking.
By combining engineering, teamwork, leadership, storytelling, and mentorship, the program offers students a unique opportunity to imagine — and design — humanity’s future beyond Earth.
For students interested in STEM, aerospace, planetary science, or science communication, the competition represents not only an educational experience, but also an invitation to become part of the next generation of explorers.