Space Education Summit
May 31, 2024

This full-day conference-style event will change your perspective!

 

This summit brings together educators, enthusiasts, and professionals from many fields… to explore ways humanity might prepare for the growing space economy and a rapidly approaching multi-planet future. Our planning team is inspired by the Overview Effect, and a desire to help more people benefit from it here on Earth.

Astronaut Panel and Concurrent Sessions

A FREE ONLINE event, the Space Education Summit features an opening panel with astronauts, four concurrent sessions in multiple strands, and a closing capstone session. The Education strand is for teachers, school leaders, and others interested in preparing today’s students for the growing space economy - and for humanity’s rapidly approaching multi-planet future. The Consciousness & Psychology strand is meant for academics, clinicians, and anyone with an interest in wellness, self development, and the mental health of humans in space - and on Earth. The Young Professionals strand is for students, aspiring space industry professionals, and those new in their roles. Other session topics include Culture & Design, Ethics & Law, and more.

UPDATE: The May 2024 astronaut panelists and fireside chat participants will be announced soon!

 

Continuing Education for Teachers

Educators gain the knowledge, resources, and confidence necessary to engage students’ natural excitement about space exploration. In addition, the consciousness strand explores ways astronomy and a cosmic perspective can impact student learning and wellbeing. This summit also addresses the question of what education might look like off-world… on the Moon, on Mars, and in Deep Space Habitats.

 

Enriching Experiences for Enthusiasts

Space enthusiasts join leading experts in the fields of consciousness and space philosophy to explore how multi-sensory technologies can enhance wellbeing in space - and on Earth. Sessions address the psychology of space travel and habitation, with a focus on how we can support people in not only surviving but thriving on lengthy missions to Mars. Participants will explore questions such as: What are the key psychological challenges of living in space or on other planets? What is space therapy, how will it be delivered off-world, and why is it relevant to people on Earth? What will be the role of Virtual Reality or Artificial Intelligence? How might space tourism and migration affect our collective identity and the type of a civilization we become?

 

Powerful Connections for Professionals

This summit brings together space industry professionals, academic researchers from many disciplines, and influential space philosophers from around the world. The interactive event is an opportunity to network, to connect with educators involved with workforce development, and to tap into brilliant minds to help solve important problems… with an eye for unforseen consequences and long-term benefits.

 

Inspiring Speakers

The full schedule of speakers and sessions is coming soon! You can also explore our previous schedule and watch select archived sessions on our YouTube channel.

 
 

  • All attendees begin the day participating in an interactive astronaut panel, featuring the perspective of people who have been to space - and how they believe we can best prepare young people for humanity’s rapidly approaching multi-planet future.

  • All sessions are led by an expert in the field… and include a moderator, welcome activities, interactive elements, and opportunities for reflection.

  • All attendees come back together at the end of the day for a reflective capstone session, which includes support for their personalized action plan.

 

Earth is in space, a tiny, fragile, ball of life, “hanging in the void,” shielded and nourished by a paper-thin atmosphere.

— Frank White, Space Philosopher

This summit is inspired by Frank White’s pioneering work to describe the Overview Effect and it’s consequences for all humanity.

The Overview Effect is a shift in worldview reported by people during spaceflight. It refers to the experience of seeing firsthand the reality that the Earth is in space, a tiny, fragile ball of life, “hanging in the void,” shielded and nourished by a paper-thin atmosphere. The experience often transforms a space traveler’s perspective on the planet and on humanity’s place in the universe. Some common aspects of it are a feeling of awe, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

Register today to be a part of this historic world-wide movement!