2020-08-132020-08-132020-07-31ICES_2020_452https://hdl.handle.net/2346/86490Julio Rezende, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – UFRN, BRDavi Souza, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – UFRN, BRDalmo Santos, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte – UFRN, BRICES307: Collaboration, Education Outreach, and Public EngagementThe proceedings for the 2020 International Conference on Environmental Systems were published from July 31 – August 6, 2020. The technical papers were not presented in person due to the inability to hold the event as scheduled in Lisbon, Portugal because of the COVID-19 global pandemic.Ensuring the safe and controlled production of food during long-term manned missions is among the most important goals that future space crews will need to attain. Even using automation for crew time savings and food production optimization, a series of crew procedures will be required to start plant cultivation experiments in space or in analog environments, evaluate quality and safety factors, and measure biomass output and crew time requirements. But how can the educational process help to transform the younger generation into future space specialists? During the analog missions in the analog space station Habitat Marte, based in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, the crew manage an aquaponic system for food crops (BioHabitat greenhouse) directly relevant to space habitats (Moon and Mars), and equally promising for regions affected by droughts. Though still an emerging technique for food production, aquaponics also promotes scientific literacy. It is a great tool for science education at all levels, from primary though vocational and university audiences. A school module provides several ways to enrich science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) classes. Through a “hands-on” approach it also enables students to learn about the research process and brings to light “meaning-making” which is a process of direct experience of an individual. Aquaponics can thus become a pleasant and effective way for students to study STEM content. In addition to expanding education on the environment, sustainability and coding, the Habitat Marte Educational Program (HMEP) seeks to bring the academy closer to the productive sector and communities, promoting the strategies of Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) to improve an efficient process of food production, through courses, technical visits and workshops, focusing on space spin-offs to vulnerable communities and youth advancement.application/pdfengEducationAquaponicsSecurity foodSpace food systemPresentations