"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard [...]" — John F. Kennedy
Fifty years ago, on July 20, 1969, the United States landed a man on the moon. The Apollo 11 moon mission inspired the world. However, the path to this accomplishment was not an easy one. Intense preparation, extensive training and a massive, collective effort made this achievement possible. At the center of this effort: physically preparing the astronauts for an out-of-world experience.
Due to the low levels of gravity in space, the heart, muscles and bones do not have to work as hard to protect body weight or pump blood. As a result, muscles decrease, bone mass can be lost and hearts weaken in space. NASA has conducted studies to demonstrate the effects of weightlessness on the body and has shown that it is similar to staying in bed for 90 days.*
To maintain muscle, bone and heart health while on the Moon, training and exercise is a top priority. NASA conducts pre and post-flight workouts that include stability ball exercises to test eye and body coordination as well as timed, 30-movement agility tests. The training doesn't end when you leave Earth. Astronauts exercise in space by using special equipment that keeps them in place and provides resistance in an otherwise resistance-less environment. Intense training and daily exercise is important for a successful mission in space.*
Accept the challenge and shoot for the moon.
The moon is roughly 238,855 miles away from Earth. To put this into perspective, NASA says that "30 Earth-sized planets could fit in between Earth and the Moon."* Be ambitious: shoot for the moon with this Target challenge and achieve a 238,855 step goal.
Challenge Details
Challenge Mode: Target
Duration: 60 days
Goal:
Content Strategy
Upload information about space using our content feature. Our suggested content includes facts about space, astronaut training, NASA, and the history of the Apollo 11 mission.
- An overview of the Moon
- An overview of our Solar System
- An overview of the planets in our galaxy
- Exercising in space
- Fun space inspired science experiments to try at home
- A rundown of historical physical preparation exercises from NASA
- Running in space!
- Everything you need to know about living in space
- Eating in space
- Sleeping in space
- Humans in space
- Who has walked on the moon?
- A history of space food
- Apollo 11 Moon landing photos
- Apollo 11 Mission overview from NASA
- First moon landing facts
Note: Be sure to include a content module in your challenge, then upload and schedule the above articles and videos.
Rewards Strategy
Use a points system to reward users and ensure everyone has a chance to win if they worked hard. Award participants 1 point just for joining the challenge and an additional 3 points if the target goal is reached. At the end of the step challenge, each user's total points equals their total entries into a raffle. Pick one or more winners from this raffle and award space-themed prizes below!
Prize Ideas
- A MasterClass Pass for Space Exploration Lessons
- Glow-in-the-dark ceiling stars
- A high-tech telescope
- Apollo 11 Lego Set
- Tickets to a science center or space museum
- Oros outerwear that features NASA-inspired technology
- Astronaut Ice Cream
- One of these super cool books about space
- Astronaut Training Experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
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