Why wait until college to study planetary science? Thanks to a group of faculty members at the NAU Center for STEM Teaching and Learning and a generous grant from NASA, kids in elementary and middle school can now get hands-on space learning experiences…for free.
An NAU project called Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science—PLANETS for short—has designed three out-of-school-time (OST) units that give learners in grades 3-5 and 6-8 the chance to do real planetary science and engineering. The free units include comprehensive educator guides, videos and other resources.
“We are enormously proud to provide educators with this NASA curriculum, which we hope will spark curiosity in youth,” said Joëlle LeMer, co-director of the Center for STEM Teaching and Learning. “What an incredible opportunity to empower youth across the nation to dive into science and engineering through fun, hands-on activities inspired by NASA’s biggest questions.”
The three units currently offered through PLANETS are available in both a science pathway and an engineering pathway. They are:
Space Hazards (grades 3-5): In the science pathway, students play a card game to learn about how we can protect against the different hazards that we face on Earth and that astronauts and robotic probes face in space. The engineering pathway presents students with a challenge: design a space glove that will keep astronauts safe while still allowing them to do their work.
Water in Extreme Environments (grades 6-8): In the science pathway, students use planet “water cards” to learn where there is the most water in our solar system (hint: it’s not Earth!). The engineering pathway introduces learners to the scarcity of fresh water, both in extreme environments on Earth and for astronauts in space. Students design a filtration system to purify water for reuse.
Remote Sensing (grades 6-8): The engineering pathway puts students in the shoes of NASA spacecraft engineers, designing remote sensing devices to learn about the surface of planets like Mars. The science pathway then uses real NASA remote sensing data from Mars landing site candidates to choose the best place to land a rover on Mars.
LeMer said what makes PLANETS unique is the units’ unique mix of entertainment value and scientific rigor. NAU science and education faculty developed these curricula alongside kids and experts at the U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center, Boston Museum of Science and WestEd to ensure the activities were educational, engaging and accurate.
“PLANETS is one of the most thoughtfully designed STEM resources I’ve used in an out-of-school setting,” said Kara Branch, CEO and founder of Black Girls Do Engineer. “The hands-on activities are engaging, accessible and grounded in real-world challenges that spark curiosity in every learner. What sets it apart is the intentional support for diverse learners and the clear, practical guidance for facilitators—making it truly turnkey for OST educators at any experience level.”
Jill Kimball | NAU Communications
(928) 523-2282 | jill.kimball@nau.edu