HOUSTON, March 1, 2017 – Touch a rare Mars meteorite, see where astronauts train, engineer a robot or have lunch with an astronaut during Space Center Houston’s Cosmic Spring Break, presented by the city of Webster March 11-19.

“Make it your mission to plan an action-packed Cosmic Spring Break experience you’ll never forget,” said the center’s President and CEO William T. Harris. “Climb inside an Orion simulated capsule, maneuver hands-on activities in the new spring exhibit and board our ultimate VIP Level 9 Tour to see the Historic Apollo Mission Control Room.”

There’s something for everyone with three new exhibits, innovative robotics challenges plus special opportunities just for Space Center Houston’s Cosmic Spring Break. From the moon to Mars, Space Center Houston’s Cosmic Spring Break offers a stellar line-up of exceptional experiences.

Exponentially grow your math power in Space Center Houston’s all-new spring exhibit Math Moves! open through April 23. Created by the Science Museum of Minnesota, Math Moves! local presentation is made possible by the city of Webster. This rich and engaging exhibit presents more than 20 interactive activities where visitors playfully investigate ratios and proportions. Math Moves! is an immersive environment in which visitors use their entire body to explore math. The hands-on experience is spring training for your mind.

Go inside our new spectacular exhibit, Mission Mars. Visitors will enter a virtual Mars portal, learn about the hardware needed for deep space and plan a trip to the red planet. Launch a rocket and stand close to a 45-foot model of the Space Launch System, which will be the most advanced and powerful deep space rocket ever produced. See a collection of three rare Mars meteorites for a limited time and one you can touch.

See history in the making aboard the Level 9 Tour, the ultimate VIP experience, giving visitors unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to see the real world of NASA. On this four- to five-hour tour, see where astronauts train and both historic and International Space Station Mission Control.

See art meet science in the Space for Art exhibit, open through March 19, a unique art collection curated and created by astronauts and scientists. This temporary exhibit features paintings, photography, musical instruments, quilts, ceramics, a graphic novel, custom skateboards and more.

Lunch with an Astronaut is held every Friday plus special Cosmic Spring Break appearances March 13-17. This special experience gives visitors an up-close meeting with an astronaut over a cosmic lunch. Enjoy this ultimate experience and make family memories that will last a lifetime. Begins at noon.

Spring day camps, March 13-17 – Young explorers will have fun in educational spring day camp experiences. Children ages 5-11 are challenged with rigorous, hands-on activities in space science and robotics. Campers will enter the new Mission Mars exhibit, board the historic shuttle carrier aircraft NASA 905 or touch a piece of the moon.

Save on admission with a CityPASS and explore Space Center Houston plus four other top attractions. Purchase a CityPASS in-person or online at spacecenter.org/citypass. For more information, visit www.spacecenter.org.

The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit science and space learning center with extensive educational programs. Space Center Houston is the cornerstone of its mission to inspire all generations through the wonders of space exploration. The center draws more than 1 million visitors annually, was called “The Big Draw” by USA Today and generates a $73 million annual economic impact in the greater Houston area. Space Center Houston is Houston’s first and only Smithsonian Affiliate and the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center. More than 200,000 youth from around the world visit the center annually to experience our educational space museum with more than 400 things to see and experience. For more information, go to www.spacecenter.org.