posted 06-05-2019 09:48 AM               

Space Racers Counting Down to the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing with Nationwide Grandparents Storytelling Contest

Grand Prize Includes All-Expenses-Paid Family Trip to Orlando, FL including One Day Space Adventure provided by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

High-Quality Telescopes and Binoculars Provided to Additional Finalists Courtesy of Leading Astronomy Retailer Explore Scientific

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission and moon landing this July, Space Race, LLC, the global production company behind the popular and award-winning preschool television series, Space Racers®, today announced a nationwide contest "When I was Your Age..." seeking the most compelling Apollo 11 memories from the baby boomer generation to share with their grandchildren.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a national treasure for those seeking to discover and experience the story of NASA, is providing the Grand Prize "One Day Space Adventure" in Kennedy Space Center, FL to the winning grandparent and family of up to four. The Grand Prize will also include a "meet and greet" with a veteran NASA astronaut. Additional finalists will receive high-quality telescopes and binoculars from the leading astronomy retailer, Explore Scientific.

Space Racers has long used real-world space and science events, such as August 2017's total solar eclipse, to excite and engage children with the wonders of space and to provide applicable STEM and Space education content. The 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 is a natural opportunity for young children to learn from their greatest teachers — their families. Grandparents and parents are invited to submit a photo and their personal Apollo 11 memories, entering to win a chance at an all-expenses paid Grand Prize three-day, two-night trip to Orlando, FL and a "One Day Space Adventure" courtesy of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, accompanying their grandchild (four persons total).

Submissions open today (June 5) and will be accepted until July 1 at 11:59pm EDT.

"Space Racers is on a mission to tap into the curiosity of preschoolers and engage them with the wonders of the universe. This time, we want to bring in the adults as well, taking them back to their own memories of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing," says Matthias Schmitt, Chief Operating Officer of Space Racers. "We hope that grownups sharing their excitement with their children and grandchildren can help inspire the next generation of Space Explorers to take their own giant leap. We are grateful that Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is providing this peerless experience for one lucky family. There is no better place to celebrate Apollo 11 than at the launch site from which it all began."

Space Racers and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will together choose the twelve most compelling Apollo 11 memories, on which the public will then vote beginning on July 8. Additional prizes will be awarded to finalists with the most votes including: a FirstLight Telescope (First Prize, retail $899.95), Explore One by Explore Scientific Gemini II Telescopes, Explore One by Explore Scientific Aurora II Telescopes and BRESSER Travel 7x50 Binoculars courtesy of Explore Scientific; and an "Ultimate Space Racers Toy Pack," complete with the entire Space Racers toy and merchandise line including the "Mission to Mars Launch Pack," 4 plush Cadet Toys, 4 t-shirts, and Coloring & Activity Books.

To enter the contest, visit SpaceRacers.com/Apollo or Space Racers on Facebook.

Applauded by parents and critics for its STEM-focused curricular themes, Space Racers features some of NASA's most famous scientific explorations, including Mercury's MESSENGER probe, the Voyager One spacecraft, and Mars rovers Curiosity, Opportunity, and Spirit.