Reach for the stars!

Hosted by Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) during the July school holidays, the popular programme returned for a second year.

Inside the Mars Blueberry Astrobiology Dome, space science educators Hari Mogosanu and Sam Leske guided  tamariki aged eight and over through the solar system and beyond to the distant Kuiper Belt, using planetarium projections to explore the science and mysteries of space.

Outside the dome, children took the controls of a Mars-inspired rover, offering a taste of real planetary exploration. Adding to the experience were NASA-related artefacts and samples, including rover components similar to that used on the Mars mission, rock samples and parachute insulation from the actual Mars mission. Children had the rare opportunity to handle these materials while learning about the engineering behind planetary exploration.

Hari, a TEDx-featured astrobiologist and trained Mars analogue astronaut, and Sam, a space science educator and former Air Force pilot, shared their expertise throughout the day, inspiring future scientists, engineers and explorers.

Participants also learned about the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which landed on Mars in 2004 in search of evidence that water once existed on the Red Planet.

Manawatū Community Hub Libraries school holiday programme, provides local families with free, accessible, educational experiences that make learning fun and memorable. By combining science, technology and imagination, the Spaceward Bound NZ sessions gave families an unforgettable opportunity to reach for the stars without leaving home.

Keep an eye out for our September school holiday brochure (28 Sept – 9 Oct 2026). For information on current and upcoming events and activities, visit our website:

Hari Mogosanu is shown explaining Mars exploration to children during one of the sessions.

Participants also learned first-hand about the Mars Exploration Rover.