Astronaut for a Day

Astronaut for a Day is a full-day, non-profit educational event designed to inspire youth through hands-on, interactive workshops that simulate different aspects of astronaut training. Our goal is to make space education both accessible and affordable while providing students with meaningful exposure to space-related careers.

Hosted by Zenith Pathways in collaboration with SEDS Canada, this full-day event gives students in Grades 5–8 the opportunity to experience astronaut-style training through interactive workshops in space robotics, medical training, planetary science, space navigation, and more, alongside guest speakers and industry professionals from Canada's growing space sector.

Following the incredible response to last year's event at the University of Toronto, Astronaut for a Day returns this summer at Concordia University with exciting new workshops.

🚀 Industry Workshop Provider: Canadian Space Agency Students will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop led by one of Canada's leading space organizations and learn more about the exciting world of space exploration. In this workshop students will learn how Astronauts communicate in Space.

Industry Workshop Provider: MDA Space Students will participate in a virtual reality space station training workshop provided by MDA Space, one of Canada's leading space technology companies. This immersive experience will introduce participants to astronaut-style training and operations aboard a space station.

📮 Postcards to Space Participants will have the opportunity to create and send postcards to space with a personal message, connecting students directly with the excitement of human spaceflight.

🩺 Medical Training A special medical training workshop will be led by a search and rescue specialist, introducing students to emergency response.

🎙 Special Guest Speaker: NASA Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) We are excited to welcome a NASA Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) as a virtual guest speaker. As one of the very few Canadians working in this role, she serves as the primary voice connecting astronauts in space with mission control teams on Earth. Students will have the opportunity to learn about her career journey and gain insight into human spaceflight operations. Additional exciting announcements and activities will be revealed in the coming weeks.

EVENT DETAILS

• 🗓 Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
• 🕗 Time: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• 📍 Location: Concordia University
• 🎯 Who can attend: Students currently in Grades 5, 6, 7, & 8, in Quebec
• 💸 Fee: $25 (early bird), $30 (general admission)
• Financial Assistance: Registration is available free of charge for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Students with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
• 🍽️ Food: Please bring your own lunch

Throughout the day, students will participate in approximately one-hour workshop sessions covering:

• Space Navigation – Learn the importance of navigation and spatial awareness
• Medical Training- Gain hands-on experience in medical emergency response and learn how professionals react in critical situations
• Planetary Science – Analyze planetary surfaces using geology techniques
• Virtual Reality Space Station Training – Experience astronaut-inspired VR training with MDA Space using VR headsets
• Postcards to Space Activity
• Guest Speakers from the Space Industry – Hear directly from professionals working in the space sector

If your child is interested in becoming an astronaut, exploring STEM careers, or learning more about the space industry, this event is for them.

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE: June 30th, 2026

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: July 15th, 2026

LIMITED CAPACITY! REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS!

• Workshops and speakers will be primarily delivered in English.
• Children with special needs are encouraged to apply, but one parent must be present.
• Media consent form and Zenith waiver form will be sent out with registration.
• Mandatory parental waiver must be signed and submitted to the email below prior to the event.

 For additional inquiries, reach out to us at stemeducation@zenithpathways.ca.