The Joey Goes to Space Adventure

speaker1

Welcome, everyone, to the ultimate adventure in education and space exploration! I’m your host, and today we are delving into an incredible journey that started with a café in Mesa, Arizona, and has now reached the stars. Joining me is my brilliant co-host. So, let’s kick things off by introducing Joey and the children’s book series that started it all.

speaker2

Hi there! I’m so excited to be here. So, tell us about Joey and the book series. What’s the story behind it?

speaker1

Absolutely, it’s a fantastic story! Joey is an adventurous kangaroo from Sydney, Australia, and his pen pal, Kandi, is a koala born at the San Diego Zoo. The series, targeted at kids aged 3 to 8, follows Joey and Kandi as they explore different states and blend educational content with fun. The first book, 'Joey Goes to Arizona,' was published via Amazon’s KDP platform, and we’re now working on 'Joey Goes to California.' The series aims to introduce children to new places while teaching them about history, landmarks, and, of course, STEM concepts.

speaker2

That’s amazing! How did this all start? What inspired the creation of the book series?

speaker1

Great question! The inspiration came from a desire to support public education in a unique and engaging way. We wanted to create a series that not only entertains but also educates. The first book, 'Joey Goes to Arizona,' was a way to support Stevenson Elementary, a Title 1 school, by introducing kids to Arizona’s landmarks and history while aiming to provide financial resources to the school. The response was overwhelming, and it opened doors to unexpected partnerships.

speaker2

Wow, that’s incredible! Speaking of partnerships, how did the collaboration with Blue Origin come about?

speaker1

It’s a fascinating story! During a casual conversation at the café with a Blue Origin engineer, we discussed our educational focus. He was so impressed that he introduced me to Heather Nelson, the director of Blue Origin’s 'Club for the Future.' This club has 65 million global members, mostly students, and aims to inspire and empower them to pursue STEM careers. Heather loved our series and the educational impact, and she suggested a collaboration focused on a visit to space, which would be the 52nd book in our series.

speaker2

That’s so exciting! How did you envision this space-themed book and the partnership?

speaker1

We were thrilled! We instructed our illustrator to put Joey and Kandi into Blue Origin space suits and have them stand in front of a rocket. Heather loved it and suggested that Blue Origin’s new mascot could be Joey and Kandi’s trainer. We also have a 2023 collaboration between Blue Origin and NASA’s JPL, which we’ll use as a connector to the third book, 'Joey Goes to Space.' This book will take Joey and Kandi on an exciting adventure that sparks kids' imagination about core STEM concepts.

speaker2

That sounds fantastic! How are you engaging students in this project?

speaker1

We have a robust engagement process. Our relationships with several Mesa Public Schools, including Zaharis Elementary, Las Sendas Elementary, STEM Academy at Red Mountain Ranch, and Shephard Junior High, provide a large student base. We’re encouraging students to join the Club and participate in activities like creating postcards that will fly into space and be returned to them. This is a wonderful way to start and build a relationship with Blue Origin and their educational programs.

speaker2

That’s so cool! What other activities are the students involved in?

speaker1

The students are using resources from the Club to plan competitive team exercises involving space concepts like angles, velocity, distance, and acceleration. We also have two visitors from Red Mountain High School, Ms. Ren Johnson and Ms. Alexis Kelley, who are Honors students working on a project being carried out to the International Space Station. This creates a tangible link between the younger students and the world of space science and exploration.

speaker2

That’s amazing! How are you planning to financially support these schools?

speaker1

We have a multi-faceted plan. We’re proposing a donation model where for every copy of 'Joey and Kandi in Space' sold, we will donate $1, and we’re asking Blue Origin to match it. The Club’s vast membership will help market the book, and the proceeds will be used to provide state-of-the-art laboratory and electronic equipment to support and enhance STEM activities across the five schools. We’re also leveraging social media and community engagement to motivate parents and the wider community to support the district.

speaker2

That’s a comprehensive plan! What about the video pitch you mentioned? How will that work?

speaker1

We’re planning a recorded video pitch from inside the classroom of Mendoza Elementary, a school certified to teach MA10. The video will feature Joey and Kandi reading an excerpt from their visit to JPL, and we’ll have Ms. Johnson and Ms. Kelley talking about their project. The principals of the schools will also sound off in a roll call to Heather about joining the Club. This will be a ceremonial and engaging way to kick off the partnership.

speaker2

That sounds like a fantastic way to start! What other initiatives are you planning to support the schools?

speaker1

We’re planning to establish a math hub at the STEM Academy at Red Mountain for extra tuition for grades 4 to 8. This will be funded through our 501C3 non-profit vehicle. We’re also looking at having honors students from Red Mountain High School provide tuition to their younger MPS colleagues, combining donor hours with a financial stipend. This will not only provide additional income for math teachers but also foster a strong sense of community and mentorship.

speaker2

That’s a great idea! How do you see this partnership evolving in the future?

speaker1

We see this partnership as a catalyst for a broader movement that motivates the community to engage with and invest in the future of Mesa Public Schools. By combining educational content, real-world applications, and community support, we aim to create a sustainable and impactful program. The 'Joey and Kandi in Space' book is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see how this collaboration grows and inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

speaker2

That’s an incredible vision! Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us today. Listeners, stay tuned for more exciting updates on this project and how you can get involved. Thank you, [Speaker 1], for an amazing discussion!

speaker1

Thank you, [Speaker 2]! It’s been a pleasure, and we look forward to continuing this adventure. Stay tuned for more updates and ways to get involved. Until next time, keep exploring and dreaming big!