You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to take your children on a journey into space—lifting them up on your shoulders can bring them closer to the sky. It wouldn’t hurt though if the kids actually knew what a real rocket scientist does. That’s where NASA comes in.
What dads and kids need to know about NASA:
- NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- It’s headquartered at Washington DC.
- NASA’s mission statement is to “pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.”
- NASA explorer schools promote and support the incorporation of NASA content and programs into science, technology and mathematics curricula in classroom grades 4-9 across the United States.
NASA is perhaps our only gateway into the universe and let’s face it—kids today need that kind of exposure. Not only will children be introduced to a world beyond their imagination but also they might just get off aimlessly chatting on the Internet and learn to focus their skills productively into math and science. A trip to DC headquarters could be a great way for dads to get things moving in the right direction.
If DC is far off for some dads, here are other NASA destinations in the United States they can visit. Click on the hyperlinks below to view details on timings and special attractions.
- Kennedy Space Center (has a space camp program for kids ages 8 to 14 yrs)
- Johnson Space Center
- Jet Propulsion Lab Open House
- Ames Research Center
- Goddard Spaceflight Center
- Edwards Air Force Base
- Marshall Spaceflight Center
- Langley Research Center
- Stennis Space Center
- Wallops Flight Facility
NASA also delivers a wealth of internet resources that are safe, fun, and educational for children. Dads and kids will find reliable, easy-to-learn information on space-related topics, as well as games and web quests. There are places where you can even chat with NASA experts.
Also See
Making the Solar System interesting for Kids
Astronomy for kids 4-10