News | Dec 20, 2021

Club for the Future – Year in Review

For Club for the Future, 2021 was filled with excitement, partnership, and growth. We collaborated with individuals and organizations across the globe to find out why they believe that Earth needs space.

In July, Blue Origin donated $28 million to Club. These funds came from the auction of the first seat on its First Human Flight. Thanks to this generous gift, Club was able to amplify the work of many organizations throughout the United States who are changing the way we teach the next generation about STEM and support Club’s mission.

Learn about a few of the Club partners by watching our videos. So far, we’ve created profiles on AstraFemina, AIAA, Space Center Houston, and Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

A girl holds up a drawing on a postcard to her nose, surrounded by other sample postcards that will be sent to space — Share your vision of why Earth needs space as part of The Clubs Postcards to Space program and we’ll fly it on a future Blue Origin New Shepard mission.

The Club’s top four priorities are its Postcards to Space program, developing and supporting STEM curriculum, collaborating with external partners, and reaching out to communities.

Postcards to Space:

Earth is finite. To protect our gem of a planet and enable a future of abundance and growth, Earth needs space. Through the Postcards to Space program, anyone can write or draw their vision for what they think the future of life in space will look like on a postcard. Club, in partnership with Blue Origin, will launch it to space and back on a New Shepard rocket. Our crew of Ambassadors will stamp it "Flown to Space" and send it back to the sender. We’re aiming to send even more postcards to space this year. Anyone can participate; click here to learn how.

Curriculum:

During the last several years, Club has worked with partners to create 45 standards-aligned lesson plans. This includes Challenger Center for Space Science Education’s Destination Moon, Microsoft and NASA Day of Data, and Project Ianos. Looking forward to 2022, Club will increase partnerships with organizations that inspire future generations to serve the world through science and space exploration.

A student and teacher work on a science experience — Students get hands on in the classroom with Project Ianos as they conduct an experiment on how to filter liquid waste in drinkable water.

Club Partners:

In July, Club granted 19 non-profits $1 million each. These organizations are working hands-on with the next generation of space leaders. Their programs, scholarships, and interactive workshops are ensuring a future flush with engineers, scientists, and explorers. Club has also partnered with countless organizations to support their missions – providing volunteers, mentorship, and access to space.

Community Engagement:

Club Ambassadors are on the frontlines of making an impact in their communities. Their efforts include mentoring, inspiring, and cultivating the next generation of rocket scientists and explorers. Ambassadors can be found at schools in their communities, on the soccer field, or at science festivals.

Sarah Knights, center, poses with two girls from the Nerdettes who are holding up Blue Origin coins — Blue Origin’s Sarah Knights attended the Huntsville STEAM Festival in October.

In 2022, we will have Club Ambassadors supporting community events – with the mission of spreading the message of why Earth needs space.

Club for the Future is thankful for the partners and volunteers who’ve shown their support throughout the last year. We look forward to working with you to build a brighter future for the benefit of Earth.