Blumenthal’s Moon Shot Mission: Making “The Infinite” Accessible to Thousands of Local Students

This fall, when “Space Explorers: THE INFINITE” touches down at Charlotte’s Blume Studios, thousands of local students will get the chance to experience what it’s like to be an astronaut on the International Space Station.

That’s thanks, in part, to the vision and hard work of Blumenthal Arts’ team behind the scenes.

The not-for-profit is partnering with local schools and educators, developing engaging curriculum-aligned educational resources, and fundraising to make this opportunity accessible to as many student groups (5th through 12th grade) as possible throughout the region.

It’s also embarking on its own kind of “moon shot” in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, to raise enough funds to bring every 6th grade student in CMS to explore “THE INFINITE.” That’s more than 11,000 students at 51 different schools — all of whom will be studying earth science and space as part of their ‘24-’25 academic curriculum.

Inspiring Students through “THE INFINITE”

“THE INFINITE” is a unique immersive experience that features breathtaking views of earth from outer space, as well as close up looks at daily life for astronauts inside and outside the space station. Filmed in 360° cinematic quality footage, in collaboration with international astronauts and NASA, it’s an incredible opportunity for students to learn about space exploration.

 

The visit and supporting educational materials will highlight connections between science, technology, and the arts. At Blume Studios, students will have the opportunity to explore “THE INFINITE” as well as interactive and space themed works of art by local and international artists. School visits will also provide inspiring examples of potential future career opportunities in STEM fields, illustrated by the amazing achievements of astronauts of every background.

“Much of our educational content around this experience is rooted in identity and perspective,” says Micah Deer, Education Initiatives Manager at Blumenthal Arts.

For example, one study guide activity is titled “Seeing Yourself on the ISS (International Space Station).” It highlights women and people of color on recent space missions.

“We want students to do much more than put on the VR headsets and ‘walk' around the ISS, we want this opportunity to change their perspective on what they can achieve and find inspiration through seeing diverse astronauts in action. After all, these incredible humans that they will learn about were once in a middle or high school far, far away from space.”

(Micah Deer, Education Initiatives Manager at Blumenthal Arts)

Innovative Partnerships that Look Toward the Future

Giving students the chance to experience that inspiration is one of many reasons that Dr. Richard Cox, PhD., is excited about his team's plans to bring about 600 students to discover “THE INFINITE” this fall. Cox is the STEM Lab Program Coordinator at The Pearl, Charlotte’s new mixed-use innovation district, which will serve as a hub to nurture growth across neighborhoods, industries, jobs and opportunities.

The Pearl is a collaboration between Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology and will also be the future site of Charlotte’s first four-year medical school, Wake Forest Medical School. Funding to create the STEM Lab comes from Truist Bank Foundation.

Cox says up until now much of Charlotte's upward momentum in fields like finance, tech and healthcare has occurred in silos.

(Blumenthal Arts President Tom Gabbard (L) with Dr. Richard Cox, PhD., STEM Lab Program Coordinator at The Pearl using an Infinite VR headset)

“Individual sectors and neighborhoods are growing bigger and stronger, while others have yet to take off,” he says.

The Pearl’s STEM Lab, slated to open in Fall 2025, will play a critical role in a new innovation ecosystem, Cox adds.

“We must engage and empower young people earlier and more often as they explore all the many possibilities they have to design their strongest selves in service of their own futures and their communities.”

By partnering with Blumenthal Arts this fall, the STEM Lab will be able to start activating its programming with communities and classrooms across the region, even before its physical space opens.

Cox says the primary goal of the collaboration with Blumenthal is for students to gain a deeper appreciation for the connection between disciplines.

“The arts and innovation are two sides of the same coin,” he says. “Both offer an opportunity for us to look beyond the past towards better futures… While students step into virtual outer space at ‘THE INFINITE,’ they can do so knowing that right here on earth we’re already engaged in remarkable life science research. Just up the road at our sister district Innovation Quarter [in Winston-Salem], they are working on in-space biomanufacturing, tissue and organ regeneration in microgravity and transforming the region into a world-leading hub for regenerative medicine. They are committed to expanding job opportunities that will support a robust future commercial space economy in low-Earth orbit.  

“In Charlotte, healthcare professionals are fully immersed using the very same technology students will use at ‘THE INFINITE’ — instead of outer space, they travel… into the body as they practice and train; even using the technology to empower patients to better understand their own health. Partnerships like this help reveal that everything is wonderfully and beautifully connected.”

Blumenthal’s Moon Shot: Enabling Every CMS 6th Grader to visit “THE INFINITE”

Rachelle Brennessel, Middle School Science Curriculum Specialist for CMS, is also enthusiastic about this opportunity for 6th grade students and the possibility of making it a district wide initiative.

“We haven't really been on a lot of field trips since COVID happened,” says Brennessel, who oversees science learning for all CMS 6th - 8th grade students. “...It's something that I think they'll be really excited about.”

She says the study guide materials for teachers and students that she’s seen so far — created and/or adapted by Blumenthal — align well with the new earth and space science standards, which were recently updated by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

“It fits actually pretty nicely into sixth grade science because they're the only middle school group that does anything with space,” she says.

The ticket cost to bring every CMS sixth grader to “THE INFINITE” comes in around $165K.

That’s a big goal but Blumenthal staff is working diligently, alongside partners and supporters, to solicit funding for the project.

“Blumenthal Arts is committed to removing financial barriers for student access to this unique, immersive learning environment that merges art and technology, inspiring students to be the next generation of explorers!” says Andie Maloney, Blumenthal’s Vice President of Education.

(Andie Maloney, Blumenthal Arts Vice President of Education)

Blumenthal has already received several major contributions toward the initiative.

A generous $50K contribution from The Leon Levine Foundation “has kickstarted this fundraising effort with a bang,” says Blumenthal’s Deer. “Additionally, we will receive $30K from the CMS E3 funding specific to arts experiences. CMS will also be picking up the tab of all transportation and substitute expenses for attending teachers.”

Longtime major Blumenthal education program supporters, Peg and Jay Adamczyk, have also pledged a gift toward bringing local 6th graders to “THE INFINITE.”

Blumenthal has about $85K left to raise. You can help make this moon shot a reality with a corporate or individual donation. Click here to donate.

Connections are the best parts of living on Planet Earth

“Astronauts often talk of ‘The Overview Effect’ as they view Earth from outer space and it humbles them to celebrate the smallest things in life: the cool shade of a tree, the comforting summer breeze in their face, or the love of a parent are only a few examples,” Deer says.

“This exhibit will allow students to see Earth from a perspective they’ve never experienced, and hopefully help them realize why they are valuable to it, what they can do to protect it, and how the connections they make are the best parts of living on it.”

Be part of that connection! Make your gift today. As a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit, ticket revenue only covers a portion of our service to the community. We endeavor to always keep the arts accessible for all but rely on contributions to make that possible.