68. Space Education: Student Engagement, Career Readiness, and Thriving Mindsets

Engage and motivate students by connecting with their excitement about space! You don't have to be a science teacher - or even a formal educator. Space education is important to everyone, and informal educators play a key role. Kids don't have to be science enthusiasts either, as space is for writers, artists, and athletes, too. The talk also introduces elements of space philosophy that are critical to our shared future, including matters of ethics, governance, and sustainability. The space economy is booming and we can help the next generation make positive contributions to humanity's multiplanet future. Dr Mark Wagner is CEO and co-founder of ARES Learning, a public benefit corporation dedicated to preparing students for humanity's future in space. He serves as the Director of Education Partnerships at the nonprofit Aldrin Family Foundation, which is focused on inspiring the next generation of space explorers, and in a similar role with Slooh, which provides a platform for students to schedule time on telescopes around the world. Mark has a Ph.D. in Educational Technology and a masters degree in Cross-Cultural Education. He also holds graduate certificates in Space Education and Space Philosophy. He is the author of Space Education: Preparing Students for Humanity's Multi-Planet Future (2022), which explores both the current reality on Earth and the possibilities for teaching students on the Moon, on Mars, and in deep space habitats. Outside his work, Mark loves playing hockey, practicing martial arts, and obsessing over his '62 beetle, which runs on an electric motor and Tesla batteries. He is a certified health coach and biohacking enthusiast, who also enjoys songwriting, spending time in nature, and exploring the world with his friends and family. To learn more, go to: https://areslearning.com/course https://areslearning.com/astrogeology https://aldrinfoundation.org https://slooh.com https://www.spaceprize.org/ https://spaceforhumanity.org/ Mark's book on space education: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Education-Preparing-Humanitys-Multi-Planet/dp/B0B7QDGYWB/