More than a certificate
The Passport was conceived to bring together projects, decisions, contributions, artefacts and observable evidence in a personal record that can grow throughout life. It shows what was demonstrated, with context and evidence provenance.
When knowledge meets reality
Real-Life Readiness organises interpretation through KNOW, CONNECT, FACE, DECIDE, ACT and CARE. These dimensions help explain how knowledge is mobilised with others under uncertainty, constraints and consequences. The framework is not a psychometrically validated instrument.
Evidence, not labels
There is no global score or personality certification. A dimension appears only when sufficient evidence supports it. Missing evidence does not mean missing capability; scores do not automatically translate into dimensions.
A Passport that grows with you
The intended architecture is one person → one Passport → many experiences → many Evidence Records. Each record retains its context. Objective achievements, such as a documented finalist status, remain separate from evidence of how the person acted.
The Observatory's role
The document describes The Lab's Observatory as a collection and analysis layer covering problem solving, collaboration, initiative, communication and systems thinking, with artefacts and context. The Evidence Layer supports explainable links to dimensions; Mars Challenge validates context and sufficiency; the Passport displays supported records. Data is not published automatically.
Team and individual
Projects, prototypes and jury assessments are Team Evidence. An identifiable contribution, reflection, decision or observation may be Individual Evidence. Team assessment is not automatically assigned to every member. Mentors attest observed facts; they do not certify RLR dimensions.
Privacy and control of evidence
The model starts with privacy by default and access for authorised actors. Public sharing of minors' information requires verifiable consent from their legal guardian. The document envisages future external sharing controlled by the holder, revocable and non-indexed. These features are not announced as available on the website.
For universities and employers
The aim is to understand what the person did, under which conditions, with whom, which decisions they made and which artefacts they produced. It does not promise admission, employment or automatic third-party recognition.
The first implementation
The first implementation was conceived in The Lab, with Mars Challenge as issuer. The Grand Jam 2026 is the intended inaugural context for turning finalists' experiences into individual and team Evidence Records, subject to privacy, consent and sufficient evidence. This reference does not establish that Passports have been issued or limit the record to one experience.
What each dimension makes visible
KNOW: knowledge, limits, assumptions and personal contribution. CONNECT: integration of people, disciplines and perspectives. FACE: uncertainty, interdependencies and constraints. DECIDE: judgment, alternatives and trade-offs. ACT: decisions turned into interventions and revision. CARE: consequences for people, relationships and living systems. KNOW requires individual evidence; an Observatory score cannot establish it.
Explore the model
Explore the Real-Life Readiness framework, documented projects and frequently asked questions. If you represent an institution, you can discuss the model and its conditions with Mars Challenge. This page does not offer production issuance, personal registration, authentication or digital verification.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Passport a certificate?
It is broader: it may include achievements and verifications, but its core is a longitudinal record of evidence demonstrated in real experiences.
Is there a Real-Life Readiness grade?
No. The Passport does not reduce the framework to a score; it shows supported evidence by dimension.
Does everyone have all six dimensions filled?
No. An experience may provide insufficient evidence for a dimension; that does not mean the person lacks capability.
Does the mentor certify the dimensions?
No. Mentors may attest an observed fact. Mars Challenge is the issuer and organises available evidence.
How do the Observatory and Passport relate?
The Observatory collects signals and context. The Evidence Layer supports interpretation; validation confirms sufficiency; the Passport presents contextualised records.
Does the Passport follow a person forever?
The intention is a persistent, cumulative record with new Evidence Records in the same Passport. An operational lifelong service has not been demonstrated.