Space is harsh on the human body, especially when astronauts go to extremes, such as spending months on the International Space Station — or taking a future trip to Mars.
The nonprofit group The Mars Generation (TMG) is inviting children (and adults, too) to "Train like a Martian" between April 18 and April 24. The initiative is inspired by NASA's "Train Like an Astronaut" program, which encourages physical activity among children by comparing it with astronaut training. (TMG has no affiliation with NASA.)
"Individuals, community groups and schools around the world are invited to join in by completing these challenges or up to 45 minutes of any physical activity each day, then share pictures online using the #TrainLikeAMartian hashtag," representatives for The Mars Generation said in a statement. [How to Become an Astronaut]
"Regional events are being planned in Huntsville, Alabama; Minneapolis; and central Florida on April 24, the same day astronaut Tim Peake will run the London Marathon on the International Space Station," the statement said.
Besides the reward of participating, the challenge encourages people to fundraise to support The Mars Generation, and to raise awareness of the program through social media and by other means. Prizes will be available for both participation and fundraising.
"The challenge is helping bring awareness to the importance of health and fitness to a balanced life," the group wrote on its website. "While STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] education is our focus at TMG, it is also important to encourage and educate people about healthy living."
"The Train Like a Martian challenge will also be an opportunity for individuals and groups to fundraise in support of the mission of The Mars Generation, including all our outreach programs, our student space ambassador program and space camp scholarship program," the website said.
The Mars Generation is a nonprofit organization founded by Abigail Harrison, a teenager who informally assisted Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano with outreach for his space station mission in 2013. The advisory board includes several former astronauts and Robert Pearlman, managing editor of collectSPACE.com and a Space.com contributor.
You can learn more about the Train Like a Martian challenge at the project's website: http://themarsgeneration.org/train-like-a-martian/.
Follow Elizabeth Howell @howellspace. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
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