Prepare for Launch!

Ivy has been on an astronomy kick for more than a year, and I've been encouraging her little by little, honestly waiting for her to "move on".  She got a telescope with her birthday money last year, and we've been camping a few times with the goal of stargazing.  We've been watching "How the Universe Works"  with a good degree of regularly, and she has a few books on astronomy that she enjoys reading.

So, it's safe to say that she has not moved on.  In fact, yesterday she was very emphatic in her desire to be an astronaut.  We were watching an episode of  "Family Matters", where Eddie is talking about his future as a rock star or model - and his father is quite adamant that he become a cop, to Eddie's dismay.  Ivy worried that grown-up Ivy would not want to be an astronaut, and I told her that it's okay to change your mind!  But she was worried because right now she so wants to become an astronaut.  I told her that she can start preparing to be an astronaut right away, so by the time she grew up she could already BE an astronaut!  (and it will still be okay to change your mind)

So we looked up the requirements.  To be a NASA astronaut, you need to possess a Master's degree in a STEM field, have two years related experience, and pass the application/physical fitness test.  There are a couple of exceptions/substitute requirements, but those are the basics.

She is PUMPED.  UP.

So guess what I'm going to learn about?  STEM stuff.  In order to encourage her to dream big, I have to facilitate her growth.  Not having much disposable income to pay someone else to teach her, it's down to me and my fantastic ability (obsession) to collect and organize information into a functional plan of achievement.  I began the journey last night, brainstorming and researching "how to be an astronaut" and clicking on all of the relevant links.  I researched different astronauts and the paths they took to gain inspiration for what topics and career paths we might explore.  Ivy was so excited to read about NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, and how she was able to go to Space Camp in the 7th grade by earning chore money - "That's what I'm doing!" Ivy squealed, hopping on her tiptoes in front of the TV screen, with "Family Matters" on pause.  I've bookmarked dozens upon dozens of STEM and health-related articles that Ivy and I could read and discuss with an eye towards practical application for astronauts.  There is always more to learn, but I think I have a good starting base of resources at the ready.

To start, I just searched on HowStuffWorks.com for STEM-related articles.  For the moment, I've roughly (and in some cases, erroneously, but who cares) organized the information into several categories:  Earth science, engineering, outer space, everyday science, physics, robotics, health, technology, chemistry & geology.  I've also subscribed to all of the NASA channels on Youtube as well as the Youtube channels for various space centers and international space agencies.  She did ask me to start giving her math problems to do every day, which I doubt I'll have the brain space to give her math problems that are challenging but not excessively difficult on a daily basis.  In addition to her school providing access to math websites, we already discuss math when we work on our #ivyandaddiescafe cuisine, and she keeps a savings account and does chores for money, so I'm content on the mathematics front for the time being.

How am I going to put all of my resources to good use?  How am I going to keep me and Ivy sane?  How am I going to not get both of us burnt out on Mommy's Astronaut Training?  The solution is simple.  As in, "keep it simple, stupid!"

My idea is that every school day (weekends/holidays optional) we will consume one resource.  That's it!  Sometimes I might pick, sometimes Ivy might pick; some things Ivy will be able to consume on her own, while other resources will require a bit of age-appropriate rephrasing and reinforcement.  We might spend ten minutes on one resource on Monday, and an hour on a different resource on Tuesday, clicking through related links and researching the topic further.  Maybe we will consume the same resource twice, in case we can't remember what we've learned.

Ivy also got way excited about physical fitness when we read that astronauts in space exercise for two hours a day!  I told her that I don't think we could quite match that, but I did tell her that we could absolutely include physical fitness into our daily routine.  We've got Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube for her; I'm a fan of Tae Bo; and we both enjoy camping.  She is learning how to ride a bike, while I enjoy taking a walk (bikes are crazy expensive!  Let me know if you have an adult bike for sale 😅).  I also plan on using this PDF as a regular inspiration for NASA-approved physical training strategies.

On top of consuming information and getting plenty of exercise, some practical application of knowledge is important.  Our family just happens to keep a healthy stock of craft and experiment kits.  I've just bookmarked several experiment websites of varying degrees of website quality (don't judge a book by its cover, you know).  I also give the kids activity kits as gifts during the holidays, leaving us with a never-ending supply of opened and half-used kits to rummage through.  That should fill out a well-rounded Student Training Astronaut Home Preparation.  I think the acronym is pretty perfect:  STAHP 😂