GroshLink

If it had been God in his chariot that had flown over, I could not have been more impressed. It was awe-inspiring. Sputnik looked like a bright star that moved with such utter purpose that nothing could stop it; and I, in that moment, realized I wanted to be part of the movement into space. -- HOMER H. HICKAM, author of “Rocket Boys” . . .  We were really very privileged to live in that thin slice of history where we changed how man looks at himself and what he might become and where he might go. -- Neil Armstrong (don't miss the diagram and timeline w/articles at 50 Years Since Sputnik).

Hard to imagine growing up at such a time.  Wow!  What will inspire our youth today with regard to science and technology? May it be the wonder of creation and the longing to be a blessing to others to the glory of God in the midst of a broken, fallen world.  That would truly be a change in how we look at ourselves and where we might go as part of a new creation brought to us by the Word and work of Jesus Christ.  One of the joys of faculty ministry is knowing many professors with such a vision, pray for God's Spirit to give them strength, insights, and gifts to inhabit and extend the real world to those which thirst for it.

Update:
For some perspective in the area of higher education read 50 Years After Sputnik, America Sees Itself in Another Science Race
For some opinion on the wistful Legacy of Sputnik