The Martian
2024
with

Jacob Pepperseed Torres

Plant Scientist

The Martian— The man behind The Martian

Dive deep into the inspiration behind The Martian and discover more about plant physiology on other planets.

Taos Center for the Arts Taos, NM

Film Synopsis

When astronauts mistakenly leave Mark Watney behind on Mars, the stranded visitor must use his wits, spirit, and scientific know-how to find a way to survive on the hostile planet.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, The Martian was nominated for three Golden Globes.

About the Speaker

Jacob Pepperseed Torres is a Northern New Mexican from EspaƱola who worked with the NASA plant science team to grow NM Chile in space during Plant Habitat (PH)-04. Today, Jacob is the founder of The Moon Chile Challenge which works as a nonprofit that brings STEAM education to students and teachers at all levels.