"_ " Underline Space Roundtable

Applications are open for the core youth development program of the Space Minds Center!

An Active Experience

Key Elements of the "_ " Roundtable

Weekly Meetings

The core component of the "_ " Roundtable are weekly virtual meetings with the entire launch group. These Saturday morning meetings will include lecture-style teaching about space policy and interactive discussions about policy options, hypothetical situations, and strategy. We hope for these meetings to be fun, intellectually challenging, and driven by the launch group.

Virtual meetings
Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET
Lecture and discussion
Strong emphasis on active participation

Personal Growth

In addition to spreading knowledge and interest in space policy, the Space Minds Center seeks to find, support, and help develop future minds. Part of this process is providing a space for these leaders to grow, test their abilities, and receive honest feedback. Through the Roundtable program, learners should expect to grow in their strategic thinking in addition to personal areas like public speaking, argument formulation, and critical reading.

Grow in critical thinking
Improve speaking skills
Receive consistent feedback

Readings

Although discussion style learning is the primary component of the program, short readings will be provided at least a week in advance before some meetings. These readings will explain more complex topics, giving learners the opportunity to digest ideas before discussing and applying them in the weekly meetings.

Occasional short readings
Will have at least one-week notice
Tailored to the launch group's interests

Writing

One of the best ways to process and gain confidence with information is through writing. As such, learners may write a couple short, low-stakes position papers using knowledge from the program in preparation for debate meetings. Additionally all learners will write one Policy Brief (couple pages) on a space policy topic of their choosing! These briefs can also be published on the SMC website at the discretion of the authors!

Some short writings to prepare for discussions
One Policy Brief on a space policy topic of your choice!

Space Through the Political Science Lens

Space policy and strategy is the core of the Space Minds Center and the "_ " Underline Space Roundtable. Over the 8-week program, we will cover wide spread political applications of space including current capabilities, relevant treaties and agreements, satellite orbits, commercialization, preventing space debris, strategic geographic space locations, future missions, environmental impacts, funding for space, earth and war applications of space assets, etc. All conversations will be centered on the ideal of gaining benefits from space (exploration, scientific advancement, resources, potential habitation etc.) without disrupting the delicate norm of peace in space or space sustainability.

Due to the strong international security applications of any space policy topic, many theoretical political science topics will be explained and utilized throughout the Roundtable program to contextualize discussions. These topics include security dilemmas, regime type analysis, diplomatic agreements, etc. Once finished with the Roundtable, learners should expect to feel confident with numerous space policy and broader political topics, giving them experience for future college classes and analysis in many policy areas.

Application Requirements

Launch Group 02: June 7 - August 2

Age 15-25

Curiosity of Space Policy

Wifi Connection

Interest in Understanding Various Policy Perspectives

Availability Saturday Mornings from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Willingness to Actively Participate

Photo Credit: NASA

Apply to Launch Group 02 by May 31st!

Please note that the "_ " Roundtable is selective in that we do not have a quota of people we are aiming for but instead a quality of applicant expected to thrive in our program. If you have any questions or problems with applications, do not hesitate to email spacemindscenter@gmail.com.

We will accept applicants on a rolling basis.

Launch Group 02 will run from June 7th through August 2nd with weekly one hour meetings on Saturdays at 11:00 AM ET.

First name

Last name

Birthday

Month

Day

Year

Education: Current Year, School/University, and Area of Study (if applicable). If you are in high school with certain college plans, share your current high school and the institution you will attend next year.

Resume

Link to a linkedIn page, YouTube channel, digital portfolio, past writing sample, speech advocacy work, etc. Please choose one that will allow us to see an aspect your professional side! Your submission does not need to relate to space in any way.

Why do you want to learn about space policy? (150-200 Words)

Tell us 1 or 2 key strengths and 1 or 2 key weaknesses that you have when articulating thoughts and speaking concisely. We care about your critical thinking and introspection, not where you are at with these skills. (150-200 words).

Tell us about your dream job or a problem that you'd like to see solved. Do not use this as a way to tell us an accomplishment. Part of the roundtable is about allowing yourself to dream so that you can work toward it. Focus on your goal! (300 Words Max)

Feel free to share any questions, comments, concerns here!