The Mars Academy: A Biophilic Learning Dome

Premise
Humanity stands at the precipice of its next great leap: establishing permanent settlements on Mars. As the first waves of pioneers prepare to embark, the critical question arises of how to nurture the next generation in such an alien yet awe-inspiring environment. This competition challenges designers to envision "The Mars Academy: A Biophilic Learning Dome," a pioneering educational habitat for the planet's inaugural settlers. It acknowledges that education is not merely about imparting knowledge, but about fostering resilience, curiosity, and a profound connection to both the new Martian home and the distant Earth. The design must address the unique psychological and developmental needs of children growing up amidst the vast, desolate Martian landscape, ensuring a nurturing and stimulating environment that celebrates discovery and survival. This academy will be the heart of the burgeoning Martian society, shaping its future.

Objective
The primary objective is to design a visionary educational habitat that serves as a beacon of learning and life on Mars. Participants are tasked with creating a pressurized, radiation-shielded dome structure that seamlessly integrates advanced safety systems with an inspiring, child-centered learning environment. The design must intricately weave together elements of nature, cutting-edge science, and the boundless wonder of space exploration into its very fabric. It demands innovative solutions for biophilic design principles adapted to an extraterrestrial context, fostering psychological well-being and a sense of belonging for its young inhabitants. The academy should be a vibrant, adaptable space capable of supporting diverse educational methodologies, encouraging hands-on learning, scientific inquiry, and creative expression, all while upholding the strictest safety and sustainability standards for long-term Martian habitation.

Site
The proposed site for The Mars Academy is conceptual, situated on a representative Martian plain or within a strategically chosen crater rim to offer both panoramic views and potential natural shielding. Participants are encouraged to specify and justify their chosen conceptual topography within a typical Martian geological context, considering factors such as regolith composition, access to potential resources like subsurface ice, and protection from dust storms. The primary focus of the design should be the enclosed habitat itself, but its interaction with the surrounding Martian environment, including potential sub-surface components for radiation shielding or resource extraction, is crucial. While the exact footprint is flexible, designers should consider an enclosed area suitable for a community of approximately 50 to 100 initial settlers, with an approximate total enclosed area ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 square meters, allowing for adaptable internal layouts and potential phased expansion.

Constraints
The design must adhere to stringent Martian environmental constraints and pioneering settlement requirements. Key considerations include maintaining a stable internal atmospheric pressure and breathable air quality, comprehensive radiation shielding capable of protecting against both solar particle events and galactic cosmic rays, and robust thermal regulation systems to combat extreme Martian temperature fluctuations. Resource efficiency is paramount, necessitating closed-loop systems for water recycling, waste management, and sustainable energy generation (e.g., advanced solar arrays, small modular reactors, geothermal possibilities). Material selection should prioritize in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) such as regolith-based 3D printing, alongside robust materials capable of enduring harsh conditions and minimizing reliance on Earth-sourced imports. The learning environment must be child-centered, incorporating low-gravity adaptable ergonomics, sensory richness through integrated biomes, and flexible spaces supporting various pedagogical approaches from early childhood to adolescent STEM and arts education, all while prioritizing multi-layered safety protocols and redundancy in critical life support systems.

Dates and Fees
The submission deadline for The Mars Academy: A Biophilic Learning Dome competition is April 25th, 2026.
Participants are advised to register by the following deadlines:
Early Bird Registration: Until January 25th, 2026 – Fee: 29 USD
Standard Registration: Until March 25th, 2026 – Fee: 49 USD
Late Registration: Until April 15th, 2026 – Fee: 69 USD
Registration fees contribute to the administration of the competition, platform maintenance, and ensuring a smooth review process for all entries. All fees are non-refundable.

Submission Requirements

1. 1 x A1 Sheet: Explaining the value proposition or design (each PDF at least 150dpi, max 20 MB).
2. Optional 1–2 Minute Video: Explaining your design/concept.
3. Team Participation: Teams of 1–3 individuals allowed. Multiple registrations permitted using different email IDs and phone numbers.
4. File Naming: Final PDF must be named "team-.pdf". Final video must be named "team- | Seek Fanatic Competition #seekfanatic".
5. Hosting Requirements: PDFs must be shared via Google Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive with "Public Access" enabled. Videos should be uploaded as "Unlisted" on YouTube.
6. Plagiarism: All content must be original, except collages and human cutouts in renders.
7. Anonymity: No identifying information of participants or their region in submissions.
8. Logo Requirement: Include the Seek Fanatic logo at the end of the video for 3 seconds. Download logo.
9. Registration: Must be done on seekfanatic.com.
10. Team Number: Matches your order number after paying the registration fee.

Note: Non-compliance with any of the above may result in disqualification.

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Prizes & Grants

• Winner x 1 & Runners-Up x 4: Online Publication + Social Media Post + Certificate (shareable link forever)
• Participation Certificates: For all teams (shareable link forever)

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