New YouTube original special encourages children to “get curious” about space
Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off World Space Week Thursday with a new YouTube original special “Get Curious with Vice President Harris,” encouraging children to “get curious” about space.
Launched Oct. 7 at 6am PT / 9am ET, on the NASA YouTube Channel and the YouTube Kids app, the show follows a group of lucky kids as they meet Harris at her US Naval Observatory residence in Washington, DC.
Together they go on a scavenger hunt with clues delivered by NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough from the International Space Station, according to a YouTube press release.
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”My mom was a scientist. She would take us to the lab with her on the weekends and after school because she had to work long hours,” Harris told the kids speaking about her India born mother Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher.
“I just love the idea of exploring the unknown,” she said. “We’re going to learn so much as we increasingly are curious and interested in the potential for the discoveries and the work we can do in space. That’s one of the things I’m most excited about.”
“We are over the moon to be working with Vice President Harris on this exciting special that encourages kids to ask questions and explore space,” said Nadine Zylstra, Head of Family, Learning and Impact for YouTube Originals.
“Upholding our commitment to inspiring kids’ interests and learning, this special delivers quality, educational programming to our young viewers around the globe — and it’s pretty cool to have the Vice President of the United States and astronaut Shane Kimbrough help us do it.”
In “Get Curious with Vice President Harris,” the kid explorers visit the Naval Observatory to meet with Harris and discuss her role as Vice President and head of the National Space Council as well as the wonders of space.
The students are sent on a journey around the observatory; at each stop they receive a new clue from NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough that helps them find a puzzle piece. They continue to discover new puzzle pieces until they have all the tools needed for a DIY telescope.
Read: 25 Indian students to get Quad STEM Fellowship (September 27, 2021)
The kids and viewers at home learn a little about Harris and her passion for science, how the Naval Observatory determines and precisely measures the time for the country, and how to make their own simple telescope to look at the stars.
“Through this out of this world experience, kids will discover all the cool things you can uncover if you just ‘get curious!’” YouTube said.
As the head of the National Space Council, Harris is committed to advancing STEM education and inspiring our nation’s children to explore the world around them, the release said.
The Council, in addition to promoting STEM, will focus its efforts on ensuring that people benefit from space activities that advance our scientific understanding of the Earth and the Universe, enable our national security, and create economic opportunities.
Read: ‘Get Curious With Vice President Harris’ Space-Themed Kids Special Set For Launch (OCtober 5, 2021)
Produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment, ”Get Curious with Vice President Harris” is the latest addition to YouTube Originals focused on kids and family.
Previous shows include award-winning “Lockdown,” and recent hits such as “BookTube Jr.” “The Workout Badges,” “Growing with Lottie Dottie,” “Kid Correspondent,” “Break the Record,” “Super Sema,” Pinkfong Wonderstar,” “Sherwood,” “We Are Savvy,” “Hyperlinked,” “Fruit Ninja Frenzy Force, “Kings of Atlantis” and “DanTDM Creates A Big Scene.”