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When Perseverance Reaches All the Way to Mars: What NASA’s Student Awards Teach Us About Character
- B.J. Ellis
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Every day, children across the country show quiet courage—pushing through challenges, trying again after setbacks, and working hard even when success isn’t guaranteed. NASA has found a remarkable way to celebrate that kind of character through its “You’ve Got Perseverance!” student recognition program. And the message it sends aligns beautifully with the mission of Ethics4Kids: teaching children that perseverance isn’t just a skill, but a core ethical value that shapes who they become.
A Message From Mars: NASA Honors Students Who Don’t Give Up
NASA’s Perseverance rover has been exploring Mars since 2021, but it’s also been doing something extraordinary here on Earth: sending personalized messages to middle‑school students who demonstrate exceptional perseverance.
In late 2024, one of the most recent honorees was Ava Johnson, a seventh‑grader from Colorado who continued excelling in school while undergoing treatment for a chronic medical condition. Her teachers nominated her for her determination, curiosity, and refusal to let obstacles define her.
NASA’s message to Ava—and to every student recognized—is simple and powerful:Perseverance matters. Effort matters. Character matters.
Why NASA Created the Program
NASA’s engineers know better than anyone that success is built on persistence. Mars missions take decades of planning, thousands of failed tests, and countless moments where giving up would be easier than pushing forward. The Perseverance rover itself was named to honor the human spirit of resilience.
By recognizing students who show perseverance, NASA is sending a message that aligns perfectly with what Ethics4Kids teaches:Great things happen when you keep going, even when the path is difficult.
How Perseverance Shapes Children’s Lives
Research consistently shows that perseverance—often called “grit” or “resilience”—is one of the strongest predictors of long‑term success.
1. Perseverance improves academic outcomes
Angela Duckworth’s research shows that perseverance predicts achievement more strongly than IQ or natural talent.
2. Perseverance strengthens emotional well‑being
According to the American Psychological Association, children who develop resilience are better equipped to handle stress and adapt to change.
3. Perseverance builds lifelong character
A 2023 study in the Journal of Character Education found that children who practice perseverance develop stronger self‑control, responsibility, and empathy.
How This Connects to Ethics4Kids
Ethics4Kids teaches children foundational values like honesty, responsibility, kindness, and respect. Perseverance fits naturally into this framework because:
It teaches responsibility: Children learn to follow through on commitments.
It strengthens self‑respect: Kids feel proud when they overcome challenges.
It builds empathy: Students who struggle and persist often become more understanding of others’ challenges.
It supports ethical choices: Perseverance helps children stay committed to doing the right thing, even when it’s not easy.
When children see someone like Ava receiving a message from a rover on Mars for her perseverance, it reinforces the idea that character is worth celebrating.
How Parents and Teachers Can Use This Story
1. Start a “Perseverance Spotlight”
Highlight a student each week who kept trying, solved a tough problem, or showed determination.
2. Share Ava’s story
Kids connect deeply with real examples of perseverance—especially when the reward comes from outer space.
3. Ask reflection questions
“What’s something you kept trying even when it was hard?”
“How did perseverance help you succeed?”
“What would you say to the Perseverance rover if it sent you a message?”
4. Connect perseverance to ethics
Discuss how sticking with something is part of being responsible, respectful, and honest with yourself.
A Final Message—From Mars and From Us
NASA’s “You’ve Got Perseverance!” program reminds children that perseverance is more than a school skill. It’s a life skill. It’s a character trait. It’s an ethical value that shapes who they become and how they treat others.
At Ethics4Kids, we believe every child has the potential to persevere—and every act of perseverance deserves recognition. Visit our curricula page today and download our free PDFs lesson plans and explore our online lessons as well!
