Every Explorer Starts Somewhere
You don’t need to know everything about science, have special equipment, or even know what interests you yet. Exploration begins with curiosity and the willingness to try something new.
At Esc@peWithNicki, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the world beyond what’s familiar, ask questions, discover new interests, and recognize what they’re capable of.
You might discover a passion for astronomy, technology, art, or something you haven’t even heard of yet. You might also discover that something isn’t for you. That’s part of exploring, too.
What Does It Mean to Be an Explorer?
Being an explorer isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about asking questions, trying new things, and discovering what interests you.
Some explorers love looking through telescopes. Others enjoy building, experimenting, creating, or figuring out how things work. There’s no single way to explore, and every experience helps you learn something about the world… and yourself.
Be Curious
Ask questions, wonder why, and discover things you never knew existed.
Try Something New
Explore unfamiliar ideas, activities, and experiences. You might surprise yourself.
Make Discoveries
Observe, experiment, create, and learn from what happens along the way.
Find Your Path
Discover what excites you and what doesn’t. Every experience helps you find your own direction.
Choose Your Explorer Path
Every explorer is different, and there’s more than one way to begin.
Whether you’re discovering the night sky for the first time or ready to investigate bigger questions through hands-on challenges, our Explorer pathways offer opportunities to learn, experiment, and grow at your own pace.
The adventure is yours to shape.
Lyra Explorer
Big discoveries begin with small questions.
Lyra Explorers introduces young adventurers, primarily ages 7–12, to the wonders of astronomy through hands-on observing, creative activities, and real-world exploration.
From discovering features on the Moon to safely observing the Sun with specialized equipment, young explorers can record their experiences, collect achievement stickers, and build confidence as they learn.
No telescope or previous astronomy experience required; just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
SkyLab
Curiosity doesn’t have an age limit, and exploration doesn’t stop with the basics.
SkyLab is a developing pathway for older explorers who want to investigate deeper questions, experiment with technology, and discover how science connects to the world around them.
Through hands-on challenges, observation, creative problem-solving, and real-world investigation, SkyLab will encourage participants to test ideas, develop new skills, and discover their own interests.
Coming Soon: SkyLab is currently in development as part of the Esc@peWithNicki Explorer program.
The Sound of Discovery
Every answer opens another question. Horizons (Discovery) is a celebration of curiosity, exploration, and the wonder that keeps us looking up. Find Stella’s story here.
Exploration Happens Everywhere
Exploration doesn’t require a telescope, a science lab, or a special destination. It can begin in your backyard, at school, in a library, or simply by looking up and asking a question.
From watching the Moon change shape to discovering how sunlight creates shadows, opportunities to explore are all around us. Every observation, experiment, and new experience is a chance to learn something about the world—and yourself.
At Esc@peWithNicki, we encourage young explorers to keep asking questions, trying new things, and following their curiosity wherever it leads. You don’t have to know where your journey will take you. You just have to be willing to begin.
Your World Is Bigger Than Today.