The We Want Our Future Initiative, Providing an Educational Activity which Merges Artwork, Creativity and Space Exploration
- Paper number
IAC-11,E1,5,15,x10145
- Author
Mr. Matthew Cannella, University of Colorado, United States
- Author
Mr. Bruce Davis, University of Colorado, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Bradley Cheetham, University of Colorado, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Ryan Kobrick, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
- Year
2011
- Abstract
The WeWantOurFuture initiative is a student led, worldwide outreach and advocacy project aimed to inspire students to dream about their future and recognize the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in their education. The theme of exploration is used to encourage and motivate students to see how technology development has allowed famous past figures such as Christopher Columbus, Amelia Earhart and Neil Armstrong to influence the world. The students are shown that technology enabled these past pioneers, and that new technology today enables them to explore space, the next frontier. It has been demonstrated with the ongoing Inspiration from Exploration campaign that students are universally excited about exploration and often do not at first see the direct connection between STEM and these exciting activities. The WeWantOurFuture initiative works by mirroring the evolution of exploration with the development of science and technology. It presents this trend to the young participants and asks them to envision what this means for future exploration, and ultimately how this will effect their lives. The WeWantOurFuture initiative works by providing an educational activity which merges artwork, creativity and vision. The lesson plan opens with a set of inspirational materials discussing the history of exploration, technology and spaceflight in the form of videos, presentations and a letter from a former astronaut. The young participants are asked to create an illustration of their future space vision on a piece of paper. On the opposite side, they are asked to describe their picture in a few sentences. Upon completion, the students have created a ‘postcard’ displaying their unique vision along with a fictional/true destination, their name, age and hometown. The initiative has assembled a network of affiliating organizations and volunteers from around the world to support the effort. Founded in the United States by several graduate students, the endeavor has collected thousands of postcards within the country and has spread to several continents including Europe, Asia and South America. The compilation of these postcards will be used to demonstrate to the public and advocacy groups how the young minds of the world envision their future and how space exploration must be a part of it. The WeWantOurFuture organizers hope to establish a more permanent organization with spin-off activities to further international awareness and support of space exploration.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-11,E1,5,15,x10145.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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