Building on the Pavilion Lake Research Project (PLRP), a University of British Columbia effort supported by CSA and NASA, to conduct science and exploration of this Canadian lake; Spaceward Bound will this year investigate the potential of a full expedition in ensuing years. On June 27, 2008, 5 teachers and 10 third through fifth grades students will participate in a mini-expedition.

The mission of Spaceward Bound is to train the next generation of space explorers by having students and teachers participate in the exploration of scientifically interesting but remote and extreme environments on Earth as analogs for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Spaceward Bound Field Expeditions involve teachers in authentic fieldwork so that they can bring that experience back to their classrooms and assist in the development of curriculum related to human exploration of remote and extreme environments.