Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was recently rolled out from the company’s Florida factory for tests, signaling progress in the company’s space exploration efforts. In honor of National Space Day, a contest has been announced that will give eight students the opportunity to tour Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket factory in Florida. The National SpaceKids Press Squad Competition is being organized by SpaceKids Global, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sparking interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) among elementary-school students. Students aged 8 to 12 are invited to submit entries via SpaceKids Global’s Press Squad webpage by June 14, with semifinalists to be randomly selected and winners chosen based on video submissions explaining their desire to see a rocket launch.
The eight winners of the contest, which will include students from various backgrounds and geographical locations, will be accompanied by a parent or guardian on a trip to Florida. During their visit, they will tour Blue Origin’s Rocket Park manufacturing facility, visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and receive press training from a professional news reporter. The SpaceKids Press Squad will have the opportunity to interview employees at the Blue Origin factory, watch a live webcast of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launch in Texas, and potentially interview spacefliers remotely. This unique experience aims to inspire children to pursue careers in the space industry and fuel their passion for space exploration.
SpaceKids Global’s founder, Sharon Hagle, who recently took a suborbital space trip on New Shepard, emphasized the organization’s mission to engage children in the possibilities of the space industry. The Press Squad contest is being conducted in collaboration with the Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s nonprofit educational foundation. Hagle hopes that the contest and other initiatives will inspire a new generation of space explorers and future leaders in STEAM careers, building on her own life-changing experience in space. The goal is to bring the excitement of space exploration to children everywhere and showcase the diverse opportunities available in the space industry.
In addition to the Press Squad contest, there are other ways to celebrate space exploration in the Seattle area. The Blue Origin team has been making significant progress in their space missions, including the recent rollout of the New Glenn rocket for testing. National Space Day provides a timely opportunity to engage students in the wonders of space and encourage their interest in STEAM fields. By offering unique experiences like the Press Squad competition, organizations like SpaceKids Global are igniting the imagination of young children and paving the way for future innovation in the space industry. With initiatives like these, the next generation of space explorers and leaders in science and technology are being inspired to reach for the stars.
