National Initiative that Champions the Importance of Creativity in Space Recognizes 12 Teachers Across the Country

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Origin's nonprofit Club for the Future, Crayola, Space4All, and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex recognized 12 teachers from across the country yesterday as part of a national campaign aimed at honoring exceptional educators, championing the importance of creativity and innovation, and inspiring students to pursue a future in space-related careers. 

The Creativity Launches the Future initiative is a collaboration in support of the annual Crayola Creativity Week event, a global learning program that provides schools, families, and libraries with inspiring and interactive content highlighting the transformative power of creativity.

The honored educators embarked on an unforgettable journey to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex where they toured the facilities, gained invaluable knowledge about space, and received educational resources to inspire their students. They also toured Blue Origin's Rocket Park Manufacturing Facility. The immersive, VIP experience was designed to expand their knowledge and confidence in creatively teaching space-related topics. Each educator also received $1,000 in Crayola product for their school to continue to teach and learn through creativity.

"This year's Creativity Launches the Future award winners are more than educators—they're visionaries launching the next generation of explorers and innovators through STEAM," said Heather Nelson, Director, Club for the Future. "We're honored to celebrate their incredible impact and efforts to inspire students to dream bigger and reach higher."

Winners:

• Hammond Creek Middle School, Dalton, Ga. (Jo McKinney)
• Blackwell Elementary School, Marietta, Ga. (Abigail Driskell)
• Navigator Academy of Leadership, Davenport, Fla. (Nicole Mercado)
• Orin Smith Elementary School, Chehalis, Wash. (Cori Jo Duncan)
• Creek View Elementary, Alabaster, Ala. (Andrea Godsey)
• Meadow School, Benson, N.C. (Brooke Parris)
• Hilltop Heritage, Tacoma, Wash. (Dawn Baughman)
• Las Cruces Public Schools - Challenger Learning Center, Las Cruces, N.M. (Norman Jensen)
• Jasper Elementary, Jasper, Ind. (Christine Shafer)
• Hillcrest Elementary School, North Bend, Ore. (Edward Nichols)
• Rosewood Park STEAM Academy, City of Commerce, Calif. (Gerardo Banuelos)
• Village Oaks Elementary, Novi, Mich. (Brianna Hand)

"We are honored to recognize these incredible educators who creatively lead their communities and spark a love of learning in their students," said Cheri Sterman, Senior Director of Education, Crayola. "This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting educators and nurturing the life-long skill of creativity."

The inspiring teachers were selected earlier this year during Crayola Creativity Week from a pool of nominees submitted by parents and community members nationwide. The free, virtual event—delivered by world-renowned creative talent—reaches more than 820,000 teachers and 13.2 million students around the world. The program gives educators and parents resources to help nurture children's creativity and supplies children with the tools to bring their ideas to life, encouraging imaginative expression and innovative thinking. Crayola Creativity Week is an integral part of the Crayola's Campaign for Creativity advocacy program, which speaks to the importance creativity as an essential life skill in preparing children for success in any career.

For more information about Crayola Creativity Week and the many resources and opportunities available, visit www.Crayola.com/CreativityWeek. For more space resources, visit www.clubforfuture.org.

Access Creativity Launches the Future media assets here.

#Creativity4All #Space4All #CrayolaCreativityWeek

Media Contacts:

Crayola
Constance Walker
[email protected]

Blue Origin
Megan Wallace
[email protected]

SOURCE Crayola