Four student groups from Missouri University of Science and Technology have collaborated to develop “SpaceWeek 2013,” a series of programs designed to educate the public about the wonders of space exploration, engineering and astronomy.

Missouri S&T’s Advanced Aero Vehicle Group, Mars Rover Design Team, Micro-Satellite Team and Miners in Space will host a series of events Monday, Nov. 4, through Friday, Nov. 8. Each team will have an educational outreach component geared toward K-12 students, an on-campus event and a guest speaker. All events are free and open to the public.

SpaceWeek will conclude with a technology expo to be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, on both floors of the Havener Center. Tom Akers, a former NASA astronaut who earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mathematics from S&T in 1973 and 1975, respectively, will give a keynote speech at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, in St. Pat’s Ballroom of the Havener Center.

Akers, a former member of the S&T mathematics and statistics faculty, is a veteran of four space shuttle missions and was S&T’s first astronaut. He has spent more than 800 hours in orbit, including more than 29 hours of extra-vehicular activity.

On Monday, Nov. 4, the Advanced Aero Vehicle Group will sponsor the following events:

– paper rocket demonstration at 5:30 p.m. in Room 254 Toomey Hall

– a guest lecture presented by Dr. Kirk Christensen, assistant teaching professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at S&T, at 8 p.m. in Room 140 Toomey Hall

– a trivia competition at 9 p.m. in Room 199 Toomey Hall.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Miners in Space will sponsor the following events:

– an engineer-for-the-day experience at 5:30 p.m. in Room 250 Toomey Hall

– a guest lecture presented by Dr. Joshua Rovey, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at S&T, at 8 p.m. in Room 140 Toomey Hall

– a board game competition at 9 p.m. in St. Pat’s Ballroom of the Havener Center.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the Mars Rover Design Team will sponsor the following events:

– a tour of the planets at 5:30 p.m. in the Havener Center atrium

– a guest lecture presented by Dr. Michael Storrie-Lombardi, executive director of Kinohi Institute, at 8 p.m. in Room 140 Toomey Hall

– a star-gazing activity at 9 p.m. in Schuman Park.

On Thursday, Nov. 7, the Micro-Satellite Team will sponsor the following events:

– aerospace adventures at 6 p.m. in Room 315 Toomey Hall

– a guest lecture presented by Dr. Kyle DeMars, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at S&T, at 8 p.m. in Room 140 Toomey Hall

– a space-themed movie screening, at 9 p.m. in Room 199 Toomey Hall.

For more information, visit SpaceWeek’s Facebook page at facebook.com/spaceweek, its twitter page @SandTSpaceWeek or email spaceweek@mst.edu.