Kids Continue to be Captivated by Space Travel and Exploration

As the nation marks the third month
since the Columbia tragedy, a national survey of students indicates continued
fascination with space exploration and a strong desire to travel throughout
the solar system. The results of the third annual Space Day Student Survey,
conducted in cooperation with USA TODAY Education, were announced today at the
Opening Ceremony at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

The Space Day survey probed the perceptions and priorities of future
generations of space pioneers. Their views are particularly significant in
the wake of the Columbia tragedy. Approximately 4,500 students nationwide
participated in the online survey during the month of April. Nearly 75% of
respondents were between the ages of nine and 14 years old, with approximately
20% between 15 and 18. Representation of girls (52%) to boys (48%) was nearly
equal.

A resounding 81% of the students who responded indicated they would like
to be involved in exploring space, with 60% wanting to travel there
personally. More than half the students (53%) still believe that space
shuttles will be the vehicles to fly into space, with 44% indicating that the
space shuttle has made the most important contribution to the future of
flight. Students were evenly divided on who will be flying spacecraft in the
future, with 38% believing it will be astronauts and 35% giving the job to
robots.

“It’s exciting to see that young people continue to be captivated by the
future of flight and space travel,” said Dr. Joyce L. Winterton, Associate
Director of Educational Programs, USA TODAY Education. “Interest in space is
a great motivator for students to develop their skills in science, technology
and math to make their dreams come true.”

Nearly half the respondents believe space exploration will be for
scientific reasons (48%). Twenty-three percent of the students indicated that
space stations will be work destinations of the future, while 29% believe that
space flight will be geared to tourists traveling to different planets.

Other interesting insights from the students:

  • More than a third indicated they would like to take part as either an astronaut (25%) or a pilot (11%), while another third want the role of scientist (13%), doctor (11%) or spacecraft designer (11%). Fourteen percent wish to participate in the future of flight as teachers, 9% want to be engineers and 6% want the job of ground controller.
  • The Wright Brothers (38%) and John Glenn (28%) were cited as the two most important aviation or aerospace explorers in our history.
  • As far as powering space vehicles, solar came out ahead at 35%, with nuclear next (24%) and plasma (15%) or “other” (17%) tied for third.
  • Finally, when asked whom they would take with them to space, friends (33%) won over family members (26%) by a small margin. Astronauts continue to have allure, with 18% of the respondents hoping to take them as travel companions.

To view the survey in its entirety, visit www.education.usatoday.com.
Open-ended student comments can also be seen. For additional information
about Space Day, the award-winning educational initiative dedicated to
advancement of science, technology, engineering and math education by
inspiring young people about space, visit www.spaceday.org.

USA TODAY Education is one of more than 75 national Space Day Partners and
Associates. Its goal is to offer young people a better understanding of the
people, places and events that impact their lives. It works with teachers,
students and parents to provide relevant and timely resources for learning.