From the first telescope to the first step on the moon, studying the stars has informed us in some surprising ways.
It is one of the most basic and indescribable human experiences to look up at the night sky and ask the big questions: “Why are we here?” and “How did we get here?” Unlike our ancestors who had nothing but their own eyes and natural curiosity, we have extraordinary technology at hand to help us understand the cosmos in all its majesty and mystery.
Why, when we have so many pressing priorities as a species here on our own planet, is astronomy important? Here are a few examples that illustrate the impact that space education can have on our day-to-day life as a whole.
Studying space can start kids on the path to higher education.[1] For many kids, studying the planets is their introduction to the larger world of science. We all remember making that first solar system and learning about distant planets. Those first experiences gave today’s scientists, mathematicians and engineers their first taste of the great beyond.
The US Needs Scientists. After WWII, the G.I Bill paid for thousands of Americans to go to college and study everything from dentistry to forestry. The Sputnik program fueled many jobs enabled the economy to prosper. But after 1992, the US saw a sharp decline in science graduates. There is a renewed interest in encouraging the younger generation toward STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) so that the US can remain at the forefront of discovery and problem solving.[2]
Innovation in specialized sciences trickles down to the average consumer. Many of you rely on GPS to provide directions and show you were you are. That would not be a reality if science had not pushed the envelope in terms of satellites, mapping and the Internet. Many other inventions we enjoy every day are also derived directly from NASA: firefighter gear, freeze-drying, improved radial tires and temper foam.[3]
It’s clear that space inspires us. Mobile technology has progressed so far that now anyone with a computer can witness the wonder of our planet from an outer space perspective, as well as our solar system and beyond.
There is so much we still don’t know. Scientific progress continues to teach us and enhance our quality of life. The search for knowledge is not bound by terrestrial concerns; it is as infinite as our universe itself.
For parents, teachers and students, the base of knowledge we already have is awe-inspiring. However, we have a responsibility to foster inquiry in the new generation. Utilizing education-based tools like Actual Concept’s Earth and Space app helps to inspire understanding about our planet and its place in the vast reaches of the cosmos. Users of this app can view stunning graphic depictions of the planets, stars and constellations, and budding astronomers can zoom in on realistic simulations, understand basic concepts and explore deep space without leaving the living room.
Now enabled for 2 in 1 devices powered by Intel® Core™ M processors, Earth and Space can be downloaded here: http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/6a40d1d3-921a-41ea-a0b4-888958d0ff13?ocid=Apps_Search_WOL_en-us_search-main_search-results-from_search-activities-earth-and-space_text-link_activities-earthandspace