DistantNews
Support us
Paraguay's Astronaut School Inspires Children to Reach for the Stars
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Paraguay's Astronaut School Inspires Children to Reach for the Stars

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The Astronaut School of Paraguay offers children aged 5-15 education in astronomy, robotics, and astronautics during school breaks.
  • The program, initiated by the National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC) in 2017, aims to foster a passion for space exploration from a young age.
  • Classes are held multiple times a week during holidays and weekly during the school year, with instructors including Paraguayans working at NASA.

Paraguayan children can now aim for the stars through the Astronaut School of Paraguay, an educational initiative designed to ignite a passion for space exploration. The program, which caters to children aged 5 to 15, offers a comprehensive curriculum covering astronomy, robotics, rocketry, astronautics, physical education, and nutrition – all essential components of an astronaut's life and training.

Launched in 2017 by the National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC), the school initially operated as holiday camps during summer and winter breaks. However, due to persistent requests from parents, the program expanded to run for most of the year. Wilson Blanco, a teacher at the school, explained that during the upcoming winter break, classes will be held three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. These sessions will take place in two locations and shifts: mornings at the Universidad del Cono Sur de las Américas in Asunción, and afternoons at the INAC headquarters in Luque.

We tell the children that dreams can come true (...), we tell the children to aim very high.

— Wilson BlancoA teacher at the Astronaut School of Paraguay, discussing the program's goals.

Throughout the regular school year, from March to November, the Astronaut School convenes on Saturdays. Blanco highlighted that the program not only imparts technical knowledge but also connects students with professionals in aeronautics and astronomy. Notably, the school features insights from Paraguayans working at NASA, offering students real-world inspiration and a glimpse into potential career paths.

Since its inception, approximately 600 children have participated in the Astronaut School. "We tell the children that dreams can come true... we tell the children to aim very high," Blanco stated. He emphasized that the students are poised to be the protagonists of an exciting new era in space exploration. Parents interested in enrolling their children can contact the school via WhatsApp at (0981) 782 775 for more information and registration forms.

A very interesting space age is coming and they are going to be the protagonists.

— Wilson BlancoA teacher at the Astronaut School of Paraguay, looking towards the future of space exploration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog