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S. Miria Jo
Hello Mars fans... I'm S. Miria Jo, the Creator of Mars Kids!

I am a longtime Mars enthusiast and a singer-songwriter; a song I wrote in 2004 came in second in the Mars Society's second Rouget de Lisle Space Song contest - for songs about the exploration and colonization of Mars.
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I've spent many years immersed in technology, from working for the Free Software Foundation when our offices were located in the Artificial Intelligence Lab at MIT, to 15+ years spent as a web and software designer for companies like Yahoo! and Symantec. I've worn many hats, from UX/UI designer to writer, from performance artist to teacher. 
​I am currently developing several Mars Kids! television series concepts with consultation from Astronaut Abby and The Mars Generation. 

Mars Kids! is my passion project; as the mother of a 4 year old daughter who wants to "be an outer space girl" when she grows up, I want there to be more television shows that will encourage her to pursue her interests and get her excited about science, space exploration, and more.

Please email me with inquiries about Mars Kids! scripts and projects. Thank you!
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Beth Tashjian
Beth Tashjian - Producer

I'm a seasoned Producer with nearly 20 years of post-production experience in network and cable television. Producing a multitude of dramatic TV series, Miniseries, Movies of the Week, comedies and independent features, in all genres, for numerous studios and networks, has served as an invaluable base for me to pursue development of quality Children's programming. 

I have produced compelling dramatic and comedic series for BET Networks including Being Mary Jane and The Game; poignant true stories for the Lifetime Movie Network such as The Wronged Man and Amish Grace; science fiction thrillers Secrets in the Walls and Blood Shot; and I am in development for my original screenplay, Wanderlust.

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Gillian Arnold
Gillian Arnold - Director
 
I have developed, directed and produced some of the highest-rated programs, ranging from Australia's Neighbors and Home and Away, to highly successful reality series including Big Brother and Singapore Idol. 

I was co-producer of Streetsmartz, a children's series for Nine Network in Australia. I developed the revolutionary interactive topical/drama series Going Home. This was written, shot and aired on the same day, five days per week. In the 1990's I set up the first English-speaking Drama in Asia (Singapore) and later developed a 26-part series for RCT Indonesia, in Bahasa Indonesian. I directed the May Lee Show, the first Pan Asian women's talk show.
More recently I have been producing and directing online docudramas for health care education. My global scope of professional experience has provided me with unlimited resources to produce innovative productions that inspire leadership. 

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Astronaut Abby
Astronaut Abby - Consultant

Abigail Harrison is a girl with a dream. She wants to someday be an astronaut. But it doesn’t stop there–she plans to be the first astronaut to Mars. With a dream that big, it takes setting goals and working hard each day to make it a reality. 

She is one step closer, having completed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity–traveling to Russia in May 2013 as a special guest of Italian Astronaut Luca Parmitano to be a part of a legendary Soyuz launch–Soyuz-TMA-09M. After the launch, Abby was charged with a BIG responsibility: she served as Parmitano’s Earth Liaison, bringing space down to Earth by sharing Parmitano’s space mission with her followers and other young people interested in space. 
​Abby has also created a worldwide outreach program called the #FutureOfSpace that is geared toward igniting passion and excitement about space, STEM and dreams with kids around the world. It includes an email pen pal program, classroom visits, web chats, speaking at events and sharing on her social media channels and blog.

​Abby is committed to inspiring her generation, The Mars Generation, to dream big, act big and inspire others.

"The mission of The Mars Generation is to excite young people and adults about human space exploration and STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) education and foster an understanding of the importance of these two elements to the future of humankind on Earth."

Learn More:
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Caryn Ward Ross
Caryn Ward Ross - Consultant

Caryn Ward Ross is an accomplished stage, film, and television actress who has worked in the industry for nearly three decades. Caryn has co-starred and recurred on such television shows as HBO’s Entourage, Lincoln Heights, General Hospital, and The Shield, and recently guest starred as the nosy neighbor in Disney Channel’s television series, Liv and Maddie. Caryn is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Erica Harrison on several seasons of BET's The Game and for her starring role in Christopher Nolen's feature film, Zodiac Sign. 

As a member of the Board of Advisors for The Geena Davis Institute on Gender In Media - SeeJane.org - which focuses on issues of gender disparity in TV and film, Caryn is passionate about including stories from people of color and diverse backgrounds.
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Caryn is also the founder and executive producer of She's Powerful TV, the founder and artistic director of "I Am Magnificent" - an acting and self-esteem workshop for young girls, and is a frequent keynote speaker and panelist on issues of diversity and inclusion.

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