I'm guessing I'm the same age as you, because I can remember that day in 1969 when I watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon.
It's very true that the Apollo astronauts inspired me in the way my education path and my career have gone. Back in 1969 Canada didn't have an astronaut program, but that interest in space was a dream that rested in the back of my brain, so one day when Canada was ready to have an astronaut program, because of my interest and capabilities in science and technology, I was a reasonable candidate to pursue.
We had three strategic objectives with this first Canadian expedition. One was exploration, the second was innovation, and the third was education. In the same way that the Apollo astronauts inspired me when I was young, we want to be an inspiration to the next generation of Canadians.
Canada is a country that was founded to a large extent on exploration by La Vérendrye, Champlain, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, Simon Fraser, and David Thompson. Our country has benefited from their work. Today all the geological frontiers have been explored. The new frontiers are science, technology, medicine, and space.
We want to encourage young Canadians to dream dreams but also to realize that dreams don't come true by wishing on a star. Dreams come true by passion, devotion, support from family members, and education. Education equalizes the playing field and gives us all those opportunities. I have four university degrees. They're required if I'm going to pursue my dream.
I mentioned the “get fit for space” program. We had several other educational projects that didn't just inform young people about space science and the need to pursue education; they engaged them as well.
Hopefully that's the answer to your question.