Hypatia has created an educational program to become an astronaut. Around 300 kids aged 6 to 12 years old will participate in the first edition of this course, thanks to a collaboration with Abacus. One of the goals of this innovative plan is to promote scientific vocations, especially among girls.
During five weeks, the selected students will learn about astronomy, engineering, health, biology and communication. Each unit will present them with a challenge. For example, they will learn how much energy an astronaut needs to live in the International Space Station, or how to prepare a healthy space menu.
At the end of each unit, students will discover a female role model related to science and space, such as the Harvard Computers, a group of women dedicated to processing astronomical data at the Harvard Observatory in Cambridge (USA). There are a lot of them and many remain unknown. Additionally, they will also have the opportunity to read a short novel that explores the psychology of long-term space travel.