STEM Education for Space Exploration: Discovering the Universe during World Space Week

September 19, 2024 / Heather Reyes

A young boy, wearing a white and blue pajama top, is playing with a toy rocket and other space-themed toys, engaging in hands-on STEM education about space exploration. He is holding the rocket up in the air, and he has a look of wonder on his face. There are several other toys on the table, including a model of a space shuttle, a model of a launchpad, and several planets. The scene is full of childlike imagination and the excitement of discovery. It looks like the boy is about to embark on a grand adventure into space.

Do you know what special days are from October 4th to 10th every year? It's World Space Week, the largest space event on Earth! As a global celebration, it aims to showcase how space science and technology improve human lives.

During World Space Week, we can highlight the importance of STEM education for space exploration. STEM education encourages children to think critically, creatively pose questions, and seek solutions. Through STEM education, children learn to approach problems systematically, analyze reasons for failure, improve methods, and ultimately find solutions when faced with setbacks. These skills are crucial for inspiring future generations to participate in space exploration.

Benefits of STEM Education in Space Exploration

1. Stimulates Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving Abilities

Space exploration is one of the most complex and challenging endeavors in human history, full of unknowns and challenges. It requires innovative thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to overcome unprecedented obstacles.

No matter how mature your 10-year-old may seem and act, remember that they are still children, and don't forget to provide support when necessary. Parents can choose STEM activities with clear step-by-step instructions and, on this basis, provide children with opportunities for customization and open-ended expression. This will ensure that children can complete tasks independently without losing the fun of independent exploration.

A young boy, dressed in a white astronaut suit, stands in front of a blue wall adorned with white paper stars. He is wearing a cardboard rocket helmet, and he is holding the edges of the helmet with both hands. He is smiling broadly, and his eyes are shining with excitement. The scene is full of childlike wonder and the joy of imagination. It looks like the boy is ready to blast off on an adventure into space.

2. Provides Hands-on Learning and Practical Opportunities

Space exploration involves many complex scientific and engineering principles, and hands-on learning makes these abstract concepts tangible. For example, by building model rockets, they can more intuitively understand propulsion and aerodynamics; by creating solar system models, they can better comprehend the relative positions and orbits of planets.

Hands-on learning helps children master key skills, sparks their long-term interest in science and technology, and prepares them for the future.

3. Cultivates Teamwork Skills

In the field of space exploration, teamwork is key to success. Space exploration is only possible when professionals from many fields, including scientists, engineers, and astronauts, work together effectively.

STEM education provides opportunities for children to learn how to communicate effectively, share ideas, and solve problems together through group projects and collaboration. These skills are invaluable not only in space exploration but in any career.

A young boy is sitting at a table, looking intently at a colourful toy that he is holding in his hands. He is wearing a brown t-shirt, and his hair is short and dark. A young girl is sitting next to him, her hands clasped in front of her face. She is wearing a green t-shirt, and her hair is long and brown. The table is covered in a blue and white patterned tablecloth. The scene is full of childlike curiosity and wonder. The boy is clearly engrossed in his toy, and the girl is watching him with interest. It looks like they are about to have a lot of fun together.

STEM Activities Suitable for World Space Week Exploration

Here are several space-themed STEM activities that are perfect for home exploration, requiring only common household materials. You can adjust the difficulty of exploration based on your child's age. They are easy to operate and immensely fun at the same time.

1. DIY Aerodynamic Rocket

Rocket science isn't as complicated as you might imagine; it can be achieved with simple materials. You need a bottle and a cork to simulate the rocket, a pump to provide the power source, and pencils or wooden sticks to build your launch pad.

If you don't have a pump, you can find some baking soda and vinegar from the kitchen, which can also provide power for your rocket.

You can try different designs for your rocket, such as using a larger or smaller bottle, making a pointed top for your rocket or adding some fins, adjusting the ratio of baking soda to water, and see which factors affect the launch height of the rocket.

2. Create a Solar System Model

What planets are in the solar system? How big is the largest, and how small is the smallest? The solar system is too large to "see," but we can visualize it by making a scale model! Children will directly experience the awe of the solar system.

They need to understand basic information such as the size of planets and their distance from the sun, and then find materials in daily life that can appropriately express these sizes. If your child can't calculate these complex math problems, you can help them with the calculations.

You can certainly make a super cool automatically rotating solar system model as shown in the video.You can also use materials at hand, using different sizes of fruits, vegetables, spheres, or even playdough from home to represent the size of planets, and strings or thin wooden sticks to demonstrate the planets and their distances relative to the sun.

Or, as shown in this project, use tissue paper grids to represent distances. For example, Mercury, the closest to the sun, is 3 tissues away. Neptune, the farthest from the sun, is 224 tissues away.!

3. Moon Phase Simulation

Why does the moon look different at different times? Understanding moon phases is a key part of learning celestial mechanics. All you need is a lamp (representing the sun), a sphere (representing the moon), and yourself (representing the Earth) to directly experience the changes in moon phases.

Children can observe how the appearance of the moon changes over time. This activity not only teaches important astronomical concepts but also enhances children's understanding of the relationship between Earth, Moon, and Sun.

Explore Space-themed STEM Boxes

If you want to conduct space exploration-themed STEM learning more purposefully, STEM subscription boxes will be a great helper. Each box is carefully curated, containing hours of educational and fun hands-on projects, materials, and science magazines. Parents don't need any preparation work or knowledge of space-related science; the STEM subscription box prepares everything for you.

Explore Space

A fun and educational space-themed craft kit for kids. It includes a partially assembled orange rocket, a set of wooden pieces for building a rocket, and a booklet with information about the planets. The kit is designed to encourage creativity and learning, and it's sure to be a hit with any young space enthusiast.

Ready to board a rocket and explore space? Have you ever thought about living on the moon for a day? Make a rocket launcher by hand and explore the scientific principles of rocket ascent. Children will also embark on a journey through the solar system following the Tinkerer "Explore Space" science magazine!

In this activity, children will not only learn about the planets in the solar system and create a glowing solar system poster, but also learn fascinating knowledge about the International Space Station and the many spacecraft that have been sent to the solar system.

Planetarium

A flat lay of a stargazing kit, featuring a partially assembled constellation globe, a cardboard box, a booklet, and various other components. The globe is the focal point, with a blue and black star chart and a wooden base. The kit is spread out on a white and yellow background, creating a visually appealing and informative image.

Looking up at the starry sky, do you also have endless curiosity about the vast universe? Make a rotating planetarium and learn the science of the night sky. Children will use pushpins to poke out their own star map and make a star lamp through folding.

In this activity, children will master a magical skill - identifying constellations at different seasons and time points! Even cooler, did you know that there are many animals in nature that navigate by the stars? Follow the science magazine to unlock more astronomical knowledge.

Space exploration is a timeless exploration topic for humanity. World Space Week is not only an opportunity to celebrate space exploration but also a time to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers through STEM education. From building your own rocket launcher to exploring the science of the night sky, Tinkerer STEAM Box brings the wonders of space into your home.

"My son loves the space-themed STEAM box! These projects are both challenging and achievable, which has sparked a real interest in science for him, and we can't wait for the next box!" - Sarah, mother of a 7-year-old boy.

Maybe not every child can become Galileo, Bruno, Einstein, or Hawking, and they don't need to. But as parents, we should create opportunities for children to access STEM education, teach them to think independently, and maintain curiosity about the unknown world and the exploratory spirit of seeking knowledge.

You can get more teaching resources about World Space Week through BBC. Or a simpler way, start your space exploration journey through our STEAM Box!

World Space Week

https://www.worldspaceweek.org/

Create a Solar System Model

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/146507794120350764/

Explore Space

https://tinkererbox.com/product-info/odyssey/explore-space/

Planetarium

https://tinkererbox.com/product-info/explore/planetarium/

Other Educational Exploration Resources BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/articles/zjvxbdm#zh33khv