Voyage Mark II Solar System Replica Built in Lake Charles
Voyage Mark II Solar System Replica Built in Lake Charles
Lake Charles, Louisiana – The City of Lake Charles announced on August 17, 2022, that they had partnered with the Region 5 STEM Center, under the guidance of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, to bring the Voyage Mark II Solar System to Lake Charles.
The educational installation, which was recently built along the 1st Avenue Walking Trail, includes 13 stations spanning from 5th to 10th Streets. The self-guided Solar System walking tour begins at the trail’s intersection of 1st Avenue and 5th Street.
The exhibit is made possible by a successful grant application filed by the Region 5 STEM Center and the Calcasieu Parish School Board. The City of Lake Charles aided in the provision of a space for the display, as well as installation and other support services.
“When the Calcasieu Parish School Board and Region 5 STEM Center approached us about their desire to apply for this grant, providing the 1st Avenue Walking Trail as a host site was a no-brainer,” said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “Not only is the trail utilized by a number of community members, but it is also located within walking distance of three educational facilities. We see great potential for the 1st Avenue Walking Trail and this project will help serve as a catalyst for future community events and programming.”
Voyage Mark II is a realistic replica of the Solar System that is one ten-billionth the size of the real thing. The primary goal is to give an educational experience that demonstrates to visitors that the Solar System is made up of small worlds in a vast expanse.
“We are excited to be able to partner with the City of Lake Charles in providing an educational science exhibit for members of the public,” added Dr. Shannon LaFargue, Calcasieu Parish School Board Superintendent of Schools. “The proximity of the exhibit to the Lake Charles Boston Academy and Region 5 STEM Center will provide students with expanded STEM perspectives and opportunities for STEM education.”
Similar systems have been erected in Washington, D.C., where the original model is located, Kansas City, Missouri, Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas, and Boulder, Colorado. A number of other municipalities, including Memphis, Tennessee, and Spokane, Washington, are actively constructing systems.
Featured image source: City of Lake Charles / Facebook
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