The Mars Program Planning Group (MPPG) at NASA launched an online idea forum using IdeaScale technology to engage the public in Mars exploration and the upcoming Curiosity rover landing. Over 1,300 citizens signed up and submitted 559 ideas and questions in just three months. The public expressed strong interest in human exploration of Mars. The forum generated discussions, new content like answer pages and videos from Mars experts. MPPG hopes to further engage the public in future Mars missions through activities like data analysis and coding. The forum allowed the public to participate in and excite imagination about future Mars exploration.