Meet Some of Our Team
Director
With a passion for child development and the magic of summer, Kaylie founded Neuron Garage in 2014. The program is enhanced with practices she gleaned from studying neuroscience and education at Dartmouth, as well as over a decade of experience in the classroom.
Ben Seidman is a theater, music, and language arts teacher at the Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He joined Neuron Garage in 2019 and is excited to apply his experience with online education to this new online Neuron Garage experience.
Copyright © 2020
Our Mission:
Help children build the foundation for a vibrant future.
At Neuron Garage we are confident that people who are able to think creatively, work collaboratively, and respond resiliently will thrive in any situation. We have found real magic in simple materials and tangible challenges — when they are combined in our intentional, supportive “garage” environment, whether that is in person or online.
For the past six years, we have seen children with a vast range of interests get deeply engaged and energized by our building challenges, so we know that we have developed something that really works for children with all different backgrounds, learning styles and preferences.
Session Details
SESSION
AGES
DATES & PRICING
7-12
Session 1
(5 -weeks)
Monday - Friday
12:30 - 3:30 pm PST
1:30 - 4:30 pm MST
2:30 - 5:30 pm CST
3:30 - 6:30 pm EST
7-12
Aug 31st - Oct 2nd $150 per week ($750 total)
Session 2
(5 -weeks)
Monday - Friday
12:30 - 3:30 pm PST
1:30 - 4:30 pm MST
2:30 - 5:30 pm CST
3:30 - 6:30 pm EST
October 5th - November 6th $150 per week ($750 total)
Great for Children. Great for Parents.
Our goal is for your child to have a blast and for you to get some much needed relief.
FAQS
Online Safety
We leverage a premium Zoom account to keep your children safe. Sessions are password protected and private chat is disabled.
Technical Requirements
All you need is a Zoom enabled device and a stable internet connection.
Typical Day
In addition to hands-on building children will play interactive games led by our instructors and partner boardgames to develop individual friendships, engage in group discussions, and participate in plenty of movement activities and games.
Our goal is for parents not to be involved with their children's camp day. However, depending on a child's level of independence and fluency with technology, they may need additional guidance or redirection that we are not able to provide virtually.
Parental Involvement
Live Instruction
Campers will be with a live instructor throughout their day. Instruction and activities will be adapted to each camper and each group, just as they would be at our in-person camps.
How We Hire Staff
We hire college students and graduates with a passion for education and child development, and a love of learning and summertime. Every team member is background checked and trained to deliver the Neuron Garage curriculum in a supportive environment, whether that be in-person or online.
We know that some school Zoom experiences have been less than ideal. Over the course of the summer we have dialed-in a hands-on online building program that almost all kids love!
Enroll your child and let them come try out the program for a week. Only pay session fees if you decide to continue!
The afternoon will be a balance between guided discussions, games, movement, fun lessons, small group collaboration and hands-on building.
The program is designed to maximize child independence and allow parents the ability to focus on their many other priorities.
We will be shipping everything your child will need to build and participate, including a guide to help them collect and organize recycling in the weeks leading up to camp. All you will need to provide is a Zoom enabled device.
We want to make this easy on you.
We will ship you a Build Box which includes everything your child will need. Just add recycling!
Questions?
$115 inc. shipping
Skyler Bossen was the director of an after school enrichment program and summer camp for 4 years before joining the Neuron Garage team in 2020. She studied Communication at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and is planning on getting her teaching credential this coming year. She is passionate about teaching kids through recreation and values genuine connections with her students and their families.
Guide
Margaret Farrar is back at Neuron Garage for her third summer! After taking a few years to teach in a Montessori classroom, she knew her heart would lead her back to her favorite place: camp. She has a fierce love for building children's problem solving skills and emotional intelligence, as well as her own in the process.
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Chief Expansion Officer
Sam is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for great operations and building amazing teams. Sam is deep believer in the enrichment goals of Neuron Garage and is focused on scaling its positive impact to Austin and beyond!
Guide
Ally Edwards is a behavior intervention specialist working in an elementary school in Austin, Texas and has a passion for being a lifelong learner. She joined Neuron Garage in 2020 and hopes to have a rocking first summer full of joy and growth. She studied education and fine arts at UT, and her plans for the future are to be in the service of helping children become who they were always meant to be.
"I just wanted to take a moment to say that Alex is SO enjoying his week at Neuron Garage. This experience has really exceeded our expectations including Alex's. Our basement has been wonderfully and magically transformed into a workshop of materials EVERYWHERE (and that's a good thing). We come together for dinner every night and talk about each other's days. Alex always has the greatest things to say. He feels empowered, challenged and motivated to solve the problems he faces."
"Nathan just loves building and exploring. Margaret and Skyler have been fantastic! So encouraging and really fostered a sense of community and empathy among the kids. I’m astonished by how confident Nathan has grown in just a couple of weeks. He’s usually very soft-spoken and introspective. Amid all the Covid craziness, the last thing we expected was for him to blossom like this. Thank you so much!"
Parent Reviews
Want to hear from more parents? Click here to read reviews about our in-person programs in Austin, TX. While a different experience than our online programs, the reviews offer parent feedback on the core enrichment and fun of our building challenges.
"Honestly, I have been really impressed with how well you have adapted the program for virtual..The build kit was a huge hit and the daily interactions offer the perfect blend of hang time, instruction, small groups and independent work. The guides are awesome as well. "
"We really love the program! I just could not be happier with the way you engage the kids and teach them these valuable lessons about resiliency and creativity and continual learning! Wow!"
"They are engaged the whole time, they LOVE popsicle time, they enjoy the games and they're excited about their projects. I am really impressed. The other online stuff we've tried has been much more of a flop."
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
All Times are Central Standard Time (CST)
TIME (CST)
ACTIVITY
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Opening Group Meeting
Each afternoon begins with riddles, laughter and games to bring the community together and get everyone ready to build. There are typically 25-30 students per class, with two phenomenal Guides.
3:00 - 4:45 PM
Build Time & Small Group Games
The program centers around each week's building challenge. Students break out into smaller Build Groups during this time to allow for more collaboration and a break from the fun, but sometimes exhausting larger Zoom meeting. In their Build Groups, they are able to form friendships and socialize as they build. Two experienced Guides are available at all times and rotate through the Build Groups offering support and asking questions to deepen the creativity, promote collaboration, and help students process their successes and failures as they develop greater resilience. After a mid-build "inspiration break" where students can request advice and share lessons learned, they can choose to continue building or spend some time playing games with their peers.
4:45 - 5:15 PM
Secret Skills Group Activity
After focusing on their individual projects, students come back together as a community to learn and practice quirky, entertaining skills like Morse Code, card tricks, or how to fold the best paper airplanes ever. Get ready for a show at dinner!
5:15 - 5:30 PM
Group Game & Reflection
The afternoon ends with more laughter and a brief, but thought provoking reflection to encourage meaningful personal growth.
DESCRIPTION
SESSION 1: August 31st - October 2nd
WEEK 1
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: Building Foundation Skills
In their first week, students will learn to use the various tools in their Build Box in a safe and effective way. As they are guided through practice using their new tools, they will be presented each day with different building techniques which will help unlock greater creativity for the rest of the session.
WEEK 2
CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION: Focus on Form
Equipped with a new set of tools and techniques, students will apply the Neuron Garage Think>Build>Learn process as they repurpose Amazon boxes and other items from the recycling to match their creative visions.
WEEK 3
MISSION POSSIBLE: Secret Deliveries
Having had ample practice building, the weeks it's time to get serious! Students take on the role of Secret Agents this week to solve a series of building challenges before the time runs out!
WEEK 4
INVENTION CONVENTION: Focus on Function
After a theatrical week, students focus their imaginations back on their own creative visions, this time with the added focus of making something functional. The Think>Build>Learn, iterative process will again be highlighted this week as students are guided to evaluate their successes and failures and apply that learning to take their building to the next level.
WEEK 5
GAME ON! Cardboard Arcade
The session ends on a playful note, as students celebrate new friendships, new skills, and an increased ability to process setbacks and evaluate the learning that comes from both successes and failures. Now very familiar with crafting masterpieces from cardboard, students create interactive games like foosball, claw machines, air hockey, pop-a-shot, and skee-ball, that have them applying their new skills.
SESSION 2: October 5th - November 6th
WEEK 1
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: Building Foundation Skills
In their first week, students will learn to use the various tools in their Build Box in a safe and effective way. As they are guided through practice using their new tools, they will be presented each day with different building techniques which will help unlock greater creativity for the rest of the session.
WEEK 2
CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION: Focus on Form
Equipped with a new set of tools and techniques, students will apply the Neuron Garage Think>Build>Learn process as they repurpose Amazon boxes and other items from the recycling to match their creative visions.
WEEK 3
MISSION POSSIBLE: Space Survival
Having had ample practice building, the weeks it's time to get serious! Students take on the role of astronauts stranded on Mars this week to solve a series of building challenges before the time runs out!
WEEK 4
INVENTION CONVENTION: Focus on Function
After a theatrical week, students focus their imaginations back on their own creative visions, this time with the added focus of making something functional. The Think>Build>Learn, iterative process will again be highlighted this week as students are guided to evaluate their successes and failures and apply that learning to take their building to the next level.
WEEK 5
GAME ON! Amusement Park
The session ends on a playful note, as students celebrate new friendships, new skills, and an increased ability to process setbacks and evaluate the learning that comes from both successes and failures. Now very familiar with crafting masterpieces from cardboard, students create miniature amusement park rides like rollercoasters, ferris wheels, bumper cars, and merry-go-rounds, that have them applying their new skills.
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Opening Group Meeting
Each afternoon begins with riddles, laughter and games to bring the community together and get everyone ready to build. There are typically 25-30 students per class, with two phenomenal Guides.
3:00 - 4:45 PM
Build Time & Small Group Games
The program centers around each week's building challenge. Students break out into smaller Build Groups during this time to allow for more collaboration and a break from the fun, but sometimes exhausting larger Zoom meeting. In their Build Groups, they are able to form friendships and socialize as they build. Two experienced Guides are available at all times and rotate through the Build Groups offering support and asking questions to deepen the creativity, promote collaboration, and help students process their successes and failures as they develop greater resilience. After a mid-build "inspiration break" where students can request advice and share lessons learned, they can choose to continue building or spend some time playing games with their peers.
4:45 - 5:15 PM
Secret Skills Group Activity
After focusing on their individual projects, students come back together as a community to learn and practice quirky, entertaining skills like Morse Code, card tricks, or how to fold the best paper airplanes ever. Get ready for a show at dinner!
5:15 - 5:30 PM
Group Game & Reflection
The afternoon ends with more laughter and a brief, but thought provoking reflection to encourage meaningful personal growth.
ALL TIMES CST
Typical Day
SESSION 1:
Aug 31st - Oct 2nd
WEEK 1
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY:
Building Foundation Skills
In their first week, students will learn to use the various tools in their Build Box in a safe and effective way. As they are guided through practice using their new tools, they will be presented each day with different building techniques which will help unlock greater creativity for the rest of the session.
WEEK 2
CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION:
Focus on Form
Equipped with a new set of tools and techniques, students will apply the Neuron Garage Think>Build>Learn process as they repurpose Amazon boxes and other items from the recycling to match their creative visions.
WEEK 3
MISSION POSSIBLE:
Secret Deliveries
Having had ample practice building, the weeks it's time to get serious! Students take on the role of Secret Agents this week to solve a series of building challenges before the time runs out!
WEEK 4
INVENTION CONVENTION: Focus on Function
After a theatrical week, students focus their imaginations back on their own creative visions, this time with the added focus of making something functional. The Think>Build>Learn, iterative process will again be highlighted this week as students are guided to evaluate their successes and failures and apply that learning to take their building to the next level.
WEEK 5
GAME ON!
Cardboard Arcade
The session ends on a playful note, as students celebrate new friendships, new skills, and an increased ability to process setbacks and evaluate the learning that comes from both successes and failures. Now very familiar with crafting masterpieces from cardboard, students create interactive games like foosball, claw machines, air hockey, pop-a-shot, and skee-ball, that have them applying their new skills.
SESSION 2:
Oct 5th - Nov 6th
WEEK 1
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY: Building Foundation Skills
In their first week, students will learn to use the various tools in their Build Box in a safe and effective way. As they are guided through practice using their new tools, they will be presented each day with different building techniques which will help unlock greater creativity for the rest of the session.
WEEK 2
CARDBOARD CONSTRUCTION: Focus on Form
Equipped with a new set of tools and techniques, students will apply the Neuron Garage Think>Build>Learn process as they repurpose Amazon boxes and other items from the recycling to match their creative visions.
WEEK 3
MISSION POSSIBLE:
Space Survival
Having had ample practice building, the weeks it's time to get serious! Students take on the role of astronauts stranded on Mars this week to solve a series of building challenges before the time runs out!
WEEK 4
INVENTION CONVENTION: Focus on Function
After a theatrical week, students focus their imaginations back on their own creative visions, this time with the added focus of making something functional. The Think>Build>Learn, iterative process will again be highlighted this week as students are guided to evaluate their successes and failures and apply that learning to take their building to the next level.
WEEK 5
GAME ON!
Amusement Park
The session ends on a playful note, as students celebrate new friendships, new skills, and an increased ability to process setbacks and evaluate the learning that comes from both successes and failures. Now very familiar with crafting masterpieces from cardboard, students create miniature amusement park rides like rollercoasters, ferris wheels, bumper cars, and merry-go-rounds, that have them applying their new skills.
Session Dates
Session Details
SESSION
AGES
DATES & PRICING
7-12
5 -weeks
Monday - Friday
12:30 - 3:30 pm PST
1:30 - 4:30 pm MST
2:30 - 5:30 pm CST
3:30 - 6:30 pm EST
7-12
Oct 5th - Nov 6th $150 per week ($750 total)
5 -weeks
Monday - Friday
12:30 - 3:30 pm PST
1:30 - 4:30 pm MST
2:30 - 5:30 pm CST
3:30 - 6:30 pm EST
Aug 31st - Oct 2nd $150 per week ($750 total)
SESSION 1SESSION 2TRY NOW. PAY LATER.
Register today and purchase our Build Box of supplies. Come try out the program for a week and only be charged for the full session fees if you decide to continue. Limited time offer.
RISK-FREE TRIAL
Register today and purchase our Build Box of supplies. Come try out the program for a week and only be charged for the full session fees if you decide to continue. Limited time offer.
1 WEEK TRIAL
Register today and purchase our Build Box of supplies. Come try out the program for a week and only be charged for the full session fees if you decide to continue. Limited time offer.
"Maya is absolutely loving this... she says she’s “never bored” during it and she is spending a lot of time working on her projects and showing us her work. Thanks for all of the work to get this camp virtual- it allowed us to join all the way from California."
Virtual Building Academy
Where kids have fun being creative and collaborating with other kids.
While you complete your day.
Multiple Live Sessions Daily
- 2:30-5:30pm PST
- 3:30-6:30pm MST
- 2:30-5:30pm CST
- 3:30-6:30pm EST
Monday - Friday
Neuron Garage starts at home with children saving recycling to be repurposed as building materials. When they log into sessions, they will get hands on, having fun as they tap into their creative thinking.
Nathan just loves building and exploring. I’m astonished by how confident he has grown in just a couple of weeks. Amid all the Covid craziness, the last thing we expected was for him to blossom like this. -Megan M.
Kids come together with the support of our expert guides to form a collaborative community that keeps the creativity flowing -- and frees you up to complete your day. All sessions are live.
Our program is designed to provide structure and consistency for your child and your family, and still offer the flexibility busy families need to skip a day or to join for just part of the time.
Your facilitators are incredibly engaging and I'm impressed by the level of social integration you've been able to achieve in just a short amount of time. What a great idea for supporting full-time working parents. -Shelly B.
$95 (Free 2-Day Shipping)
2 Live Sessions Daily (Monday - Friday)
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
Ages: 7-12 year olds
3-Week Program: $125/wk ($375 Total)
50% Discount for Siblings
Sessions begin with icebreakers and games to connect the community before children break into smaller groups and get hands-on with their building projects. Our expert Guides are available to help at all times. They ask great questions and encourage collaboration, so that children are not just able to solve the problem they face in the moment, but are developing skills that will help them tackle problems in the future.
Each day, we come together to build, learn, and play.
We will ship you a Build Box full of curated tools and supplies -- everything your child will need. Just add recycling!
Or, you can use what you already have at home.
The build kit was a huge hit and the daily interactions offer the perfect blend of hang time, instruction, small groups and independent work. The guides are awesome as well. -Sparky W.
"Maya is absolutely loving this...she says she’s “never bored” during it and she is spending a lot of time working on her projects and showing us her work." -Pam O.
Come Build with Us - Start Registration
Fall sessions begin on September 21st.
ENRICHING ONLINE ENGAGEMENT FOR YOUR KIDS
SO YOU CAN COMPLETE YOUR DAY!
Virtual Building Academy
Where kids have fun being creative and collaborating with other kids.
While you complete your day.
Multiple Live Sessions Daily
2:30-5:30pm PST
3:30-5:30pm MST
2:30 - 5:30pm CST
3:30 - 6:30pm EST
Monday - Friday
OUR PROMISE: Join us for a week and if you and your child are not completely satisfied, get a full refund of your enrollment fees.
Neuron Garage starts at home with children saving recycling to be repurposed as building materials. When they log into sessions, they will get hands on, having fun as they tap into their creative thinking.
Kids come together with the support of our expert guides to form a collaborative community that keeps the creativity flowing -- and frees you up to complete your day. All sessions are live.
Our program is designed to provide structure and consistency for your child and your family, and still offer the flexibility busy families need to skip a day or to join for just part of the time.
2 Live Sessions Daily
(Monday - Friday)
2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30 -6:30pm EST
2:30pm-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
Fall Sessions Begin on 9/21
Ages: 7-12 year olds
3 Week Program:
$125/wk ($375 Total)
50% Discount for Siblings
Sessions begin with icebreakers and games to connect the community before children break into smaller groups and get hands-on with their building projects. Our expert Guides are available to help at all times. They ask great questions and encourage collaboration, so that children are not just able to solve the problem they face in the moment, but are developing skills that will help them tackle problems in the future.
Each day, we come together to build, learn, and play.
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE (CST)
TIME (CST)
ACTIVITY
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Icebreakers & Community Games
Each afternoon begins with riddles, laughter and games to bring the community together and get everyone ready to build. There are typically 25-30 students per class, with two phenomenal Guides.
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Build Time
The program centers around each week's building challenge. Students break out into smaller Build Groups during this time to allow for more collaboration and a break from the fun, but sometimes exhausting larger Zoom meeting. In their Build Groups, they are able to form friendships and socialize as they build. Two experienced Guides are available at all times and rotate through the Build Groups offering support and asking questions to deepen the creativity, promote collaboration, and help students process their successes and failures as they develop greater resilience. After a mid-build "inspiration break" where students can request advice and share lessons learned, they can choose to continue building or spend some time playing games with their peers.
5:00 - 5:30 PM
After focusing on their individual projects, students come back together as a community. The afternoon ends with more laughter and a brief, but thought-provoking reflection to encourage meaningful personal growth.
Group Activity & Reflection
DESCRIPTION
OUR PROMISE: Join us for a week and if you and your child are not completely satisfied, get a full refund of your enrollment fees.
OUR PROMISE: Join us for a week and if you and your child are not completely satisfied, get a full refund of your enrollment fees.
3:00 - 5:00 PM
Build Time
The program centers around each week's building challenge. Students break out into smaller Build Groups during this time to allow for more collaboration and a break from the fun, but sometimes exhausting larger Zoom meeting. In their Build Groups, they are able to form friendships and socialize as they build. Two experienced Guides are available at all times and rotate through the Build Groups offering support and asking questions to deepen the creativity, promote collaboration, and help students process their successes and failures as they develop greater resilience. After a mid-build "inspiration break" where students can request advice and share lessons learned, they can choose to continue building or spend some time playing games with their peers.
5:00 - 5:30 PM
Group Activity & Reflection
After focusing on their individual projects, students come back together as a community. The afternoon ends with more laughter and a brief, but thought provoking reflection to encourage meaningful personal growth.
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Icebreakers & Community Games
Each afternoon begins with riddles, laughter and games to bring the community together and get everyone ready to build. There are typically 25-30 students per class, with two phenomenal Guides.
Typical Day
SESSION 1: Amusement Parks
September 21st to October 9th
From rollercoasters to bumper cars to carnival rides and games, fun is the central theme this session! (And who couldn’t use a dose of fun right now?) Students will learn how to use their new building tools and practice various cardboard construction techniques as they tinker and test, building an amusement park full of functional rides and games.
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
SESSION 2: Cardboard Utopia
October 12th to October 30th
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
Starting by envisioning their own fantasy home, this session students will design, build, furnish and decorate the dwelling of their dreams. From there, they will craft their surroundings, taking on the roles of urban planner, landscape architect, beachfront developer, and more.
SESSION 3: Secret Agent
November 2nd to November 20th
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
Whether building a zip-line through the jungle, a submarine for a secret voyage under the sea, or an igloo to survive the Arctic tundra, students will stop at nothing to deliver an important secret message. Plenty of codes, ciphers, and spy music will be played this session.
SESSION 4: Time Machine
November 30th to December 18th
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
This session students will find themselves transported back in time and forward into the future as they navigate new challenges at each stop. As they travel through time and space, they will build moats, drawbridges, and fire-breathing dragons in the Middle Ages; rockets, rovers, and space stations on Mars; and dinosaurs, great and small, in the Mesozoic Era.
Fun themes tie it all together!
Each three-week session has an overarching theme that ties together all the building challenges and activities. Each day offers a new building technique or twist on the challenge to keep students excited and engaged, and also to help them develop the building skills, confidence, and perseverance to take their creativity to the next level. While the themes and challenges offer inspiration, each student takes what they want from these suggestions and comes up with their own building plans. Individual ideas and passions are encouraged and can be creatively incorporated into any session.
SESSION 1: Amusement Parks
September 21st to October 9th
From rollercoasters to bumper cars to carnival rides and games, fun is the central theme this session! (And who couldn’t use a dose of fun right now?) Students will learn how to use their new building tools and practice various cardboard construction techniques as they tinker and test, building an amusement park full of functional rides and games.
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
SESSION 2: Cardboard Utopia
October 12th to October 30th
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
Starting by envisioning their own fantasy home, this session students will design, build, furnish and decorate the dwelling of their dreams. From there, they will craft their surroundings, taking on the roles of urban planner, landscape architect, beachfront developer, and more.
SESSION 3: Secret Agent
November 2nd to November 20th
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
Whether building a zip-line through the jungle, a submarine for a secret voyage under the sea, or an igloo to survive the Arctic tundra, students will stop at nothing to deliver an important secret message. Plenty of codes, ciphers, and spy music will be played this session.
SESSION 4: Time Machine
November 30th to December 18th
Monday - Friday:
- 2:30-5:30pm CST / 3:30-6:30pm EST
- 2:30-5:30pm PST / 3:30-6:30pm MST
This session students will find themselves transported back in time and forward into the future as they navigate new challenges at each stop. As they travel through time and space, they will build moats, drawbridges, and fire-breathing dragons in the Middle Ages; rockets, rovers, and space stations on Mars; and dinosaurs, great and small, in the Mesozoic Era.