What is The Mobile Earth + Space Observatory (MESO)

MESO is a mobile environmental and space science laboratory outfitted with hands-on educational and research instrumentation that support activities focused on weather, climate, astronomy and renewable energy. The goal for this ‘science center on wheels’ is to engage students and the public in scientific inquiry and allow them to experience authentic science first-hand. We don’t just talk about science, we invite participants to work directly with scientific equipment. We set up at schools and communities for a day or a week at time, and we engage people directly with scientific tools such as solar and celestial telescopes, spectroscopy, reason for the seasons interactives, exoplanet activities, infrared cameras, cloud chambers, augmented reality sand table, 3D topographic map, and much more. Science literally spills out of the mobile lab.

Our scientist educators have been teaching environmental, earth and space science since 2017 in the mobile environment and since 2000 in Natural History Museums and Science centers across the state. They are comfortable engaging audiences of all ages and abilities.

What to expect from a MESO experience

• The mobile lab is brought to your location.
• Much more than just a mobile vehicle - this STEM lab opens up to become a hub of science engagement.
• Programs include numerous activities, each with hands-on learning to keep students engaged at all times. Participants rotate through stations including the Science of Light and Color and the Reason for the Seasons interactives.
• Experienced professional educators. We are passionate about science and about science being fun!
• Lessons aligned with what students are learning in classrooms. Kids and adults of all ages love our programming!

Whats included

We are happy to customize our program to suit your needs. Most schools choose a full day or multi day program and have us work with an entire grade or school. See our program catalog (link) for more information about the types of programs we offer that would be a fit to align with the content offered in your classrooms.

MESO staff will work with you and your organization to aid in the deployment logistics and the selection of programming that is the best fit for your group. MESO will arrive fully packed with science interactives that we will set up in the location agreed upon with you.

How we price

It’s simple: we charge a per day fee and a per mile fee. Per mile fees are shared, so the more organizations in your area that book our program, the lower your per mile fee.

What MESO provides:

• 2 MESO staff.
• MESO vehicle carrying all agreed upon program elements and activities.
• MESO staff will work with school or organization representatives to aid in deployment logistics and selection of appropriate program activities. This can be accomplished with 1-2 video conference calls.

What your school or event center provides:

• Schedule for selected activities, including times and classroom locations. Note: A minimum of 10 minutes is required between classes to allow for break and potential setup or reset.
• Teachers are expected to engage in classroom activities and provide classroom management.
• Provide suitable location for MESO to support planned activities.

Pricing:

Half-day $800: Conducted over a 4-hour period, which includes 3 hours of classroom programing or 4 hours of event programming.

Full-day $1,200: Conducted over a 6-hour period, which includes 5 hours of classroom programing or 6 hours of event programming.

STEM Night/Star Party $700: Consists of 3 hours of continuous programming.  Price is $400 if added to a half or full day deployment on the same day.

Mileage fee: $2/mile roundtrip from MESO storage location (4905 N. 30th Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80919).

Per Diem: A $100/day charge is assessed for deployments requiring MESO staff to stay overnight before and/or after the deployment to meet deployment obligations.

Discount for consecutive days: Half and full day rates are $700 and $1,100 respectively for consecutive days at the same location.

Discount for schools in need: Disadvantaged schools receive a discount off the rates listed above. The percentage discounted is computed by taking the %Free or Reduced Lunch for the school and dividing it by two. Example: School with 50% of their students eligible for free or reduced lunch will receive a 25% discount off MESO’s daily rate. Discount does not include mileage or possible per diem charges.

Please contact us at info@nssti.org for a quote on variations from the baseline pricing described above.