Quick look: Before kicking off on Oct. 3, the annual S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge has welcomed three new science-focused partner organizations to offer unique prizes, educational supports and new ways to inspire young readers.
Calling all young space enthusiasts: The S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge is back for its fourth year, and it’s blasting off with three new partners, including Blue Origin’s Club for the Future — a space technology company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The three-week challenge — organized by Timeless Learning Inc. in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and 4Space — invites students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade to explore science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics through reading storybooks and novels.
This year’s event begins Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 24. Students can participate at home or in the classroom by downloading the Beanstack app to track how much they read and access curated reading lists organized by age group — from picture books for younger children to science fiction novels for young adult readers. Registration will open to families and teachers online starting Sept. 19.
The 2024 challenge also comes with innovative STEM opportunities from its new partners. Blue Origin’s STEAM education nonprofit, Club for the Future, will provide students with educational resources, inspiring videos about space innovation and a special opportunity to design postcards that will fly aboard the company’s New Shepard rocket before returning to Earth.
“Every page you turn and every challenge you tackle gives you the tools to shape your future, whether you dream of being a scientist, an engineer, a mathematician, a problem solver or an innovator that we haven’t even thought of yet,” said Club for the Future Director Heather Nelson in a recent video. “At Blue Origin and Club for the Future, we celebrate your passion for this challenge because the future is brighter when we dream and read together.”
Fueling curiosity through reading
Meanwhile, STEM education company Estes Education will supply model rocket kits to students who meet the bonus reading goals, and computer technology company SanDisk will join as a corporate sponsor to help expand technology access and supply bonus prizes.
All participants who complete the challenge will receive a certificate recognizing their hard work, and students who go above and beyond will have the chance to win bonus prizes. By exceeding their reading goals, early readers ages 7 to 9 can earn rewards including free dance lessons and tickets to local museums while middle school and high school readers can score virtual meet-and-greets with NASA engineers and their very own model rocket kits.
After the challenge wraps up, a splashdown celebration will be held Nov. 8 at the Orange County Department of Education, where top readers will be recognized, meet guest speakers and explore hands-on STEM demonstrations.
“The mission of the S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge has always been to spark curiosity and help students see themselves as future innovators and explorers,” said Pat Burns, founder of the reading challenge. “Partnering with Blue Origin’s Club for the Future is truly a dream come true. Together, we can reach even more students, especially those in underserved communities, and give them experiences that will fuel a lifetime of learning.”
Families can sign up at the STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge website and teachers can find more information on the reading challenge resources page.