6 Things to Know About the Space Program

iStock

Whether yours was one of the almost 11 million names currently sitting on the surface of Mars — sent on a chip with the Perseverance Rover last summer — or you and your family eagerly consult your apps to catch a quick glimpse of the International Space Station overhead, many self-proclaimed 'space nerds' are passing on this love of space with our children.

If this sounds familiar here are 6 things to know about the space program.

Why is learning about the Space Race important?

Much like the United States and the Soviet Union were in a space race in the 60s, a new Space Race has emerged in which numerous startups and industries are vying for their piece of the pie.

Part of this includes a billionaire space race, set in motion first with Richard Branson's space flight and shortly thereafter, Jeff Bezos' launch. Each has been met with criticism in their own right, but if nothing else it has brought renewed attention to the importance of space exploration.

1. Teaching kids about space opens up a world of possibilities
Space education is crucial to expanding our knowledge of what's around us, and our relation to other beings. "Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system," NASA eloquently states. "Through addressing the challenges related to human space exploration we expand technology, create new industries, and help to foster a peaceful connection with other nations."

2. The space program helps us discover whether life ever existed beyond Earth
The age-old question, "Is there life on other planets" is one that many kids and adults have wondered about for a long time. Mars exploration helps us get closer to answering that question.

The red planet's atmosphere is thinner than that of Earth but it does provide protection from the Sun, so that is a good sign and is helping NASA lay the foundation for future human exploration of the planet. Exploring the surface of the Moon goes hand in hand with Mars Exploration; it allows for additional opportunities to test technology and resources for sustainable space exploration.

Teaching kids about space

SpaceX Propulsion Sr. Designer Paul Lasman shared with us some of the hows and whys of teaching kids about space and careers in space. Lasman worked on the plumbing system for Falcon 1 and later the Falcon 9 run tank which successfully fueled the first Falcon 9 engine test in SpaceX history.

He then finished out his 13-year career with SpaceX designing launch sites. In other words, taking schematics from engineers and determining what pieces and parts were needed to make it work.

3. Preparing for a launch requires a significant amount of collaboration and teamwork.
Watching launches are a great way to teach kids about the space program because they illustrate how much actually goes into preparing and executing a successful mission. Spend time with your kids watching launches to see how each member of mission control works individually, and how the group works cohesively to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

"You've got to be able to operate in a team. Each person in mission control is operating a system on their own while keeping an eye on what everyone else has going on," Lasman explained to Mom.com.

4. People who work in the space program come from multiple backgrounds and varied experiences.
If your child has an interest in a career in space, assure them that there are many avenues to get there and a number of careers they could pursue. "What I've seen is that fresh out of college, students are missing the hands-on aspect," Lasman said.

He suggests going back to basics and offering kids build kits, LEGO, Lincoln Logs; anything that lets them use their hands and gets them thinking strategically. Lasman explained that when creating a prototype he recognizes that it may not work the first time and that is ok. "Failure is not necessarily the end of anything," he said. "If it looks right, give it a try."

Space programs for kids

Kids are just naturally drawn to all things outer space so whether you're homeschooling your kids this year or just want to supplement their learning, there are options.

5. Research conducted by the space program has advanced a number of industries beyond space
From medical devices to mylar, NASA research has led to breakthroughs in a number of industries. Exploring space at home helps your child make connections to the world around them. Katie Stokes is a homeschooling mom of two who shares home education resources on her site Gift of Curiosity.

"My daughter became fascinated by astronauts and the moon and was hungry to learn more," Stokes wrote. "Following her interest, we began learning about space with an initial focus on the moon. We eventually branched out into other areas of space, including astronaut life, the planets, the sun, the stars, and even other galaxies."

If you're looking to branch out, there are countless destinations across the country that offer space education and space programs for kids. Stokes' space unit study features a variety of activities for all age levels.

6. There are a variety of space-themed destinations across the country to visit
There are several locations across the country where families can learn more about space and space travel. From space camps to museums, planetariums, IMAX theaters, replicas and actual memorabilia, classes, and programs, if you're looking for a space activity for kids while on vacation or traveling, consider one of these options:

To stay in the know, families can sign up for news and updates from Space.com.