SpaceKids Global CEO Maryann Barry On Space For Kids Across The Globe

By introducing children to the exciting possibilities of space, SpaceKids Global is helping to shape the next generation of thinkers, explorers, and innovators. The organization’s work is not only about exploring space but also about helping children realise that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. Through her commitment to diversity, education, and inspiration, SpaceKids Global CEO Maryann Barry and the team are making a lasting impact on the future of space exploration and the people who will drive it forward. Here, she shares her story with Women Love Tech.

Can you share your vision for SpaceKids Global and how you plan to inspire young students in STEAM fields?

I am excited to expand upon the work with the founder of SpaceKids Global Sharon Hagle and what she has accomplished since beginning the SpaceKids journey 2015. My vision is to substantially grow reach and impact of our SpaceKids mission. I intend to do so by engaging a broad scope of education and space industry partners in developing and supporting specially curated program experiences for students across the U.S. and globally designed to ignite curiosity and inspire pursuit of STEAM+ education to focus them on preparing for and entering space industry careers. 

What personal experiences have influenced your passion for aerospace and education?

There are so many! My life is filled with experiences that influenced my passion for space and for aerospace education.  It all began growing up on the Space Coast in the 1960s watching rockets light up the sky as well as my family’s involvement in and around the space industry. I become enthralled with possibilities of space exploration as a young child. While in graduate school, I became a certified aerospace educator.  While working toward expanding our space education curriculum and partnerships at Girl Scouts, I discovered Sharon and SpaceKids. Sharon’s vision for inspiring K-6 students and she and Marc’s personal vision for their own space travel experiences inspired me to pursue my own opportunity to go see the Earth from space. I think when you catch the space science and exploration bug early, you have it for life!

How do you aim to address the predicted 3.5 million STEM job vacancies by 2025 through SpaceKids Global?

Excellent question. Nurturing a robust sense of curiosity is critical to encouraging students to prepare for the future.  If we are to effectively address the growing gap between STEAM job ready candidate pool and industry need is to engage and inspire today’s school-aged children with clear intent. This is no small task. We must capture their interest and imagination as early as possible and we must work in collaboration with the right partners at the right times throughout the primary and secondary education experience in vibrant ways that engage curiosity and inspire possibility thinking. Our approach seeks to ignite a flame of curiosity that leads to a passion for discovery AND an understanding that almost any job or career pathway they can imagine probably exists within the space industry. Encourage, Engage, Employ!

What has been your proudest moment in your career, particularly in your leadership roles at Girl Scouts of Citrus Council and now at SpaceKids Global?

This one is easy! My proudest moment was during our Girl Scouts of Citrus and SpaceKids partnership to create the Making Space for Girls program through which we successfully engaged approximately 900 girls in getting excited about space science and space exploration and were able to launch 21 girls STEAM experiments and dreams to the ISS on a SpaceX rocket with help from our friends at the ISS National Lab and some of their business partners. I can still see the wonder and pride dancing in the eyes of these girls (who ranged in age from 5 to 17) as they stood together with their parents on the beach watching their ideas take flight in the night sky. My hope is to curate more dynamic and life-changing experiences such as that for children all of the nation and the globe as SpaceKids continues to grow in reach and impact.

More about SpaceKids Global

Find out more about SpaceKids Global, here!