Story time from space with Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques
News release
The Canadian Space Agency releases an e-book, inviting children on the spaciest adventure of their lives!
December 18, 2018 – Longueuil, Quebec
Are you ready for an out-of-this-world story time? The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is launching an initiative aiming to encourage interest in space, learning and reading at a young age. Reading to children, beginning even in infancy, has a lasting effect on language, literacy and early reading skills. Today, David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, took part in the official release of The Explorers Club, a space-themed e-book featuring CSA astronaut David Saint-Jacques. During the event, David read the book for the first time, directly from space.
Reading stories together is a favourite part of the Saint-Jacques family's evening routine. Inspired by David's desire to continue that routine while in space and connect with his three children in a way that is relatable to so many young families, the Canadian Space Agency developed a space-themed story.
"Reading books to children is one of the most precious gifts you can give them to fuel their imagination and expand their understanding of the world. Space has the power to spark curiosity in young Canadians, and this e-book will encourage their interest in reading and science."
-The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
"Even when my work takes me far from home, I like to keep the ritual of reading bedtime stories. For me, it's a special time to connect with my children. Books fuel children's imagination. I hope The Explorers Club e-book will bring space into your little ones' dreams."
-David Saint-Jacques, Canadian Space Agency astronaut
Quick facts
The Explorers Club features the story of Layla, Niko, Gemma and Mathias… as well as Chewie, their curious puppy! Inspired by Canadian Space Agency astronaut David Saint-Jacques, they set off on their own space mission – the most magical adventure of their lives!
To engage young Canadians in science and related disciplines, the CSA will deliver a wide range of activities during David's mission, many in collaboration with partners:
- Living Space: A new youth science research project where students explore how environmental conditions can affect physical and mental health while practising analytical thinking and learning digital skills like coding.
- Little Inventors – Inventions for Space: A creative challenge for children across the country to come up with ideas to make life in space easier and more fun. The top inventions will be turned into prototypes by expert makers and artisans. Two will even make an appearance in space!
- Astro Pi Challenge: A European science and coding competition where students are invited to develop code that could be run on the Space Station's unique Raspberry Pi computers. Two different complexity levels make Astro Pi accessible to students with or without coding experience.
- Wanted: Creative Writers: Canadians aged 9 and over are invited to write and submit a space-themed story for children aged 3 to 8. All stories must be original and must not have been previously published.
