What effect did the space race have on american public education during the middle of the 20th century?

Serious space research began in world war two.In 1957 the Russians and in 1958 the Americans launched unmanned satellites 120 miles above the earth atmosphere. In 1961 the USER sent the first man in "space". Afterwards the two countries raced each other putting larger craft with Upto 4 persons in space.After that many children dream being astronauts.