To some degree, sci fi might only be a marginal extension. The more recent a sci fi story is, the more closely related to actual sci they tend to be. But really

To some degree, sci fi might only be a marginal extension. The more recent a sci fi story is, the more closely related to actual sci they tend to be. But really old (pre-Star Wars) sci fi that is based on ideas instead of currently existing technologies could be helpful in your pursuit. I would hazard to say that's how Elon Musk got the idea to land his rocket engines the way they now do. Before then, it was as impossible to land a rocket that way, as it was to fly to the Moon or Mars. Now that both are common, sci fi based on those ideas won't tickle much of your inner-child brain. Man living on Mars stories aren't that different than dealing with living in the desert. Only add radiation, a lack of breathable air, and REALLY slow Internet. And we know there aren't civilizations of little green men living there, so that's out of the picture, too. Even stories of living on the USS Enterprise aren't so far fetched anymore. We've had several space stations already, and a couple of new ones going up right now. They only don't travel so far. You definitely need to aim for far more simplicity when looking for something that would allow you to think in a more childlike manner again.