'Train Like a Martian' Challenge Inspires Kids to Get Active

Train Like a Martian Program
The Train Like a Martian program challenges kids to participate in daily physical activities, just like a NASA astronaut would. (Image credit: The Mars Generation)

Space is harsh on the human body, especially when astronauts go to extremes, such as spending months on the International Space Station — or taking a future trip to Mars.

The nonprofit group The Mars Generation (TMG) is inviting children (and adults, too) to "Train like a Martian" between April 18 and April 24. The initiative is inspired by NASA's "Train Like an Astronaut" program, which encourages physical activity among children by comparing it with astronaut training. (TMG has no affiliation with NASA.)

"Individuals, community groups and schools around the world are invited to join in by completing these challenges or up to 45 minutes of any physical activity each day, then share pictures online using the #TrainLikeAMartian hashtag," representatives for The Mars Generation said in a statement. [How to Become an Astronaut]

"Regional events are being planned in Huntsville, Alabama; Minneapolis; and central Florida on April 24, the same day astronaut Tim Peake will run the London Marathon on the International Space Station," the statement said.

Besides the reward of participating, the challenge encourages people to fundraise to support The Mars Generation, and to raise awareness of the program through social media and by other means. Prizes will be available for both participation and fundraising.

"The challenge is helping bring awareness to the importance of health and fitness to a balanced life," the group wrote on its website. "While STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] education is our focus at TMG, it is also important to encourage and educate people about healthy living."

"The Train Like a Martian challenge will also be an opportunity for individuals and groups to fundraise in support of the mission of The Mars Generation, including all our outreach programs, our student space ambassador program and space camp scholarship program," the website said.

The Mars Generation is a nonprofit organization founded by Abigail Harrison, a teenager who informally assisted Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano with outreach for his space station mission in 2013. The advisory board includes several former astronauts and Robert Pearlman, managing editor of collectSPACE.com and a Space.com contributor.

You can learn more about the Train Like a Martian challenge at the project's website: http://themarsgeneration.org/train-like-a-martian/.

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Elizabeth Howell
Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace