My Family's Visit to the Space Foundation Discovery Center

Colorado Springs, CO

Earlier this month, my family made our first trip to the Space Foundation which is right here in Colorado Springs. My husband had gone once before as a chaperon for our daughters school field trip but the rest of us like to experience places for ourselves to make sure we are not missing out.

We went on a Saturday when the Summer of Discovery programming was just beginning. We watched Sienna and Joey, the Dog Stars, do their routine of acting out constellation stories. There were many families that hung around for the show. Younger children had the opportunity to volunteer as story characters and were able to do a meet and greet with the dogs at the end. Very cute for kids 7 and younger!

Around the El Pomar Space Gallery, there were many exhibits that caught our attention. The space suits displayed, large space rovers, interactive activities and such were very cool to examine, read about and learn from. Our kids, ages 13, 11 and 7, were fascinated by more of the hands-on activities like the remote control Lego rovers they could run with a tablet, building scale model rockets out of paper straws and ear plugs and building space gear for model humans.

The space food exhibit was one I was drawn to. I cannot believe the meals that can be provided and heated up with just hot water! Meals from several different countries were shown in their tiny packaging.

Our experience here was great! We went on the weekend during June which might be a perfect time to visit with your family to avoid school field trips. I would say that they are most likely busy in May when school field trips are wrapping up for the year. If you have a child intrigued by outer space, I definitely think you should give them a visit. Warning: you may get sucked into buying gifts at their gift shop. They sell some really cool space-themed items; planet plush, dry ice cream, etc. The Space Foundation offers summer programming, camps, birthday parties and school field trips. Check out their website for more information!

About the Space Foundation~

Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the world's premier organization to inspire, educate, connect, and advocate on behalf of the global space community. It is a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs, and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium. Space Foundation headquarters is in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, and has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®, and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a Washington, D.C., office and field representatives in Houston and the Florida Space Coast. It publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space Certification™and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit both of our websites – www.SpaceFoundation.org and DiscoverSpace.org.