A PARTNERSHIP PROPOSAL

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)

Between

Men And Robots for Space (MARS) Cooperative / GCN Learning Hubs

dba Peace Schools Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with IRS letter

and

San Diego State University (SDSU) College of Engineering

5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182

Date: July 21, 2026

1.      Purpose

This Memorandum of Understanding establishes a collaborative framework between MARS Cooperative/GCN Learning Hubs and SDSU College of Engineering to advance innovative engineering education, research, and community impact initiatives. The partnership focuses on lunar base simulation habitats that integrate affordable housing solutions to address youth homelessness in Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ), tunneling and construction technologies, robotics integration (including Pudu D9 humanoids in 2026 and Tesla Optimus in 2028), Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research, and accelerated STEM pathways for underserved youth.

The collaboration aims to:

• Engage SDSU graduate and undergraduate students in real-world projects that combine sustainable construction, tunneling (in partnership with The Boring Company or similar), modular/affordable housing design, and lunar/Mars analog habitats.

• Support MARS Co-op goals of building up to 800 lunar base simulations across U.S. QOZ to engage 5 million vulnerable youth, while accelerating high school students toward AA (before age 18), BA (before age 20), and MA in AI & Robotics degrees at USD or similar institutions, plus affordable home ownership pathways (before age 25).

• Provide students with hands-on training through a lease or purchase of tunneling machines, research opportunities, and career pipelines in space infrastructure, robotics, equitable community development, and Environmental Education (EE).

• Support GCN’s $15 million grant bid (targeted at federal, state, and local funding streams including HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) expansions, CoC initiatives, and related capacity-building opportunities) to prevent and end youth homelessness through integrated housing, education, workforce development, and cooperative ownership models. SDSU students and faculty will play a key role in the technical design, evaluation, and innovation components of grant-funded projects.

• Build NASA’s GLOBE Program Observation and Training Sites (GOTS) for each lunar base simulation, starting with the one on Eco Canyon at 5400 Market St. (See attached endorsement of GLOBE Office / University of New Hampshire.)

2.      Scope of Collaboration

The parties intend to collaborate in the following areas (non-exclusive):

a. Student Engagement and Experiential Learning• Joint development of capstone projects, theses, dissertations, research assistantships, and internships focused on lunar base simulation design/construction, affordable quadruplex-style homes with integrated classroom/basement/tunnel features, robotic operations (Pudu D9 in 2026 and Tesla Optimus in 2028), and multi-generational HRI.• Recruitment and support of graduate students for pilot projects near Salton Sea (non-arable land) and urban canyons in QOZ (e.g., Encanto area), including direct contributions to GCN’s $15M youth homelessness grant initiatives.• Pathways for students to train with tunneling technologies and contribute to scalable solutions for 800 simulation sites.

b. Research and Innovation• Joint research on sustainable/3D-printed/modular construction for Earth-based lunar analogs, tunneling applications, habitat habitability, robotics integration, and social impact metrics (e.g., reducing youth homelessness through innovative housing models).• Technical and evaluation support for GCN’s $15M grant bid, including engineering design of integrated housing + simulation sites, data collection frameworks, and innovation components aligned with HUD YHDP and CoC priorities.• Potential involvement in NASA-inspired analogs, HRI studies, and data sharing from MARS hotel/robot demonstrations in China.

c. Education and Community Impact• Integration with GCN Learning Hubs’ Thomas Edison Experience for accelerated education and earn-while-learning models.• Faculty and student mentorship of high school and community youth in QOZ, with emphasis on prevention of youth homelessness.• Public outreach, publications, and presentations showcasing the partnership and grant outcomes.

d. Resource Sharing• SDSU to provide access to facilities, labs, and faculty expertise as available.• MARS/GCN to provide project sites, robot access (Pudu models), industry connections (e.g., Boring Company training pathways), and funding opportunities (including support for the $15M grant bid).

3.      Mutual Benefits• For SDSU: Enhanced student outcomes through high-impact projects tied to a major $15M youth homelessness initiative; research publications and grant opportunities (NASA, NSF, HUD, etc.); strengthened community engagement and innovation portfolio.• For MARS/GCN: Access to engineering talent and expertise for grant-funded projects; support for scalable simulation, housing development, and homelessness prevention efforts; alignment with educational and social missions.

4.      Implementation • A joint working group (including representatives from both parties) will meet                periodically to identify specific projects, timelines, and resource needs, with priority    given to elements supporting GCN’s $15M grant bid. • Initial focus: Pilot simulation/affordable housing prototype (design and feasibility phase) within 2 months, aligned with grant development timelines. • Funding: Each party responsible for its own costs unless separate agreements or    grants are secured. The parties will collaborate on joint grant applications, including active support for GCN’s $15M youth homelessness proposal.

5.      Term and TerminationThis MOU is effective for 3 years from the date of last signature and may be renewed by mutual written agreement. Either party may terminate with 30 days written notice.

6.      Non-Binding NatureThis MOU is a statement of intent and is not legally binding, except for sections on confidentiality (if applicable) and intellectual property. Specific projects, including those tied to the $15M grant, will require separate binding agreements (e.g., contracts, NDAs, or funded project agreements).

7.      Confidentiality and Intellectual PropertyParties agree to protect confidential information; ownership of IP to be addressed in project-specific agreements.

8.      General Provisions• This MOU does not create an employment, partnership, or agency relationship.• Amendments require written agreement by both parties.• Governing law: State of California.

Approved by:

For MARS Cooperative / GCN Learning Hubs / Peace Schools Network

Name: Virgil Lorenzo, Ed.D., Founder and CEO

Signature: _______________________________ Date: _______________

For San Diego State University College of Engineering

Name: Eugene Olevsky, Ph.D., Dean

Signature: _______________________________ Date: _______________