Mexico, N.Y. - Malaki Sandejas, 8, loves a dwarf planet. Sitting next to his mom on their couch, he rattles off the five in our solar system.
"The dwarf planets are Haumea, Makemake, Eris, Ceres and Pluto and they live on the Kuiper belt," Malaki said.
"These were all things we had to look up to make sure he was right," his mother said.
"And I was!" Malaki said.
Malaki is one of eight kids nationwide who is a SpaceKids Global Press Squad winner this year. He and his mom are getting a free trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Blue Origin's Rocket Park, part of Jeff Bezos's private spaceflight company.
SpaceKids Global is a nonprofit focused on getting elementary students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics and Environment. It's the first year the group held this specific competition.
The adventure includes two plane tickets to Orlando, two nights at a hotel, ground transportation and interviews with astronauts.
As part of his prize package, he may get a chance to witness a rocket launch in person.
"I'm a little nervous because I don't know how it's going to feel when the rocket lifts, because my mom says it's a big explosion, and I'll be so close I can feel the heat," Malaki said.
"I don't know if you'll be that close," his mother, Michelle Sandejas said, laughing.
Malaki is the youngest member of this year's group and the first child from Central New York to win the trip.
"It was just a random drawing at first, so I thought, hey, why not put his name in the hat?" said Sandejas, who is a Mexico High School math teacher.
Malaki was initially chosen as a finalist through a random drawing. Then he was invited by SpaceKids Global to submit a video about his interest in space. That video is the reason he won, according to a representative for SpaceKids Global.
Malaki won under the military family category. His dad, Ramon Sandejas, is an active duty Chief Warrant Officer for the U.S. Army.
Michelle is part of the reason Malaki loves space so much. The two do science experiments together and they watched the solar eclipse together earlier this year.
"I've always loved the stars, the outside and the unknown-and that's what space is to me." Michelle said. "In my classroom, I try very, very hard to show and explain how math is utilized in the real world, and a lot of times that involves science experiences."
Malaki said he's most excited to see how the rocket ships get made and deconstructed, see the lodge, and visit Planet Play, an interactive play area for kids at the space center.
"My dream job is to be an engineer at the Kennedy Space Center," Malaki said.
While Malaki and his family don't know exactly when they'll fly out to Orlando, they were told it will likely be sometime in October. Along with visiting the space center and seeing the rocket launch, Malaki will also get the opportunity to interview astronauts and other space professionals.
"We wanted to make sure that we're spreading the news so that other kids have the opportunity," Michelle said. "I do think it's a phenomenal organization that's providing a chance for kids to see things that they may not have."
You can learn more about the competition by visiting SpaceKids Global's website.