SpaceKids Global, a Florida-based nonprofit organization, is organizing the National SpaceKids Press Squad Competition for elementary-school students aged 8 to 12. The contest offers eight winners the opportunity to tour Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket factory in Florida. Students are required to submit 60-second videos explaining why they want to see a rocket launch by the deadline of June 14. Winners will be selected based on various criteria, including geographical diversity and family affiliations such as being a member of an active-duty military family or a first-responder family.
The winners and a parent or guardian will be flown to Florida for a tour of Blue Origin’s Rocket Park manufacturing facility, as well as a visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The students will also receive training from a professional news reporter on how to conduct interviews. The SpaceKids Press Squad will have the opportunity to interview employees at the Blue Origin factory and potentially watch a live webcast of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launch in Texas. The contest aims to inspire children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) through engaging experiences in the space industry.
SpaceKids Global’s founder, Sharon Hagle, who took a suborbital space trip on New Shepard in March 2022, expressed excitement about the contest and its potential to inspire a new generation of space explorers. The Press Squad contest is being conducted in collaboration with the Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s nonprofit educational foundation. Hagle believes that introducing children to the possibilities of space exploration at a young age can spark their interest in STEAM careers and motivate them to become future leaders in the field.
In addition to the National SpaceKids Press Squad Competition, there are other ways to celebrate space exploration in the Seattle area over the weekend. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has been rolled out from the company’s Florida factory for tests, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to advance space technology. The first Friday in May is National Space Day, making it an appropriate time to announce contests and initiatives that engage students and the public in the excitement of space exploration. Through events like the Press Squad competition, organizations aim to foster interest in STEAM fields among young learners and inspire them to consider careers in the space industry.
Overall, initiatives like the National SpaceKids Press Squad Competition serve to engage students in hands-on experiences related to space exploration and technology. By providing opportunities for children to interact with space industry professionals, tour rocket manufacturing facilities, and participate in live rocket launches, these contests aim to spark curiosity and enthusiasm for STEAM subjects. Through partnerships with educational foundations like the Club for the Future, organizations like SpaceKids Global hope to inspire the next generation of space explorers and innovators who will contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the future.
