Just think, one of the day-dreamers in your classroom may be destined to make history as the first human to set foot on Mars. This 100-million-mile achievement may be just two decades away. The Inside Story this week sets out the challenge (page 8). Our preoccupation with water on Mars is ironic when we know so little about the seas that cover 70 per cent of our own planet. The future of the oceans is the theme of the 2004 Young Geographer of the Year competition (page 22). For details of how to enter, see next week’s Teacher.