What happens when a group of young space enthusiasts gets together with a pile of LEGO bricks and a shared goal to build a Mars Research Shuttle? A whole lot of creativity, teamwork, and learning! Recently, team members Kim, Olivia, Julia and Jacob from Youth Culture Inc. took on the challenge of constructing the LEGO Mars Research Shuttle with its 273 pieces and countless possibilities for exploration and planning of our future programs, and of course, also for fun!
This project wasn’t just about putting pieces together—it was about working as a team, embracing the different skills and talents that each person brought to the table. For dynamic duo Kim and Jacob working on the base of the space shuttle, fitting the tiny pieces together showed us all how important patience, persistence, and a sense of humor can be during a detailed task. Olivia found joy in planning the build, while Julia was eager to dive into the details, like attaching the grappling arm to the rover and positioning the solar panels just right.
What became clear throughout this activity is that the future of space exploration will need individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. Just like our group, who learned, laughed, and sometimes struggled through this build, there will always be a place for every kind of thinker and doer in the space conversation. This group activity was a great experience to learn best practices for some of our LEGO programs and initiatives with accessibility and inclusion front and center.
Whether you’re a dreamer, a builder, or someone who loves solving problems, there’s a role for you in our journey to the stars. So, grab some friends, pick up some pieces, and start creating!
