MiniSpace - Introducing space to young children.
- Paper number
IAC-06-E1.4.10
- Author
Mr. Jesper Jørgensen, SpaceArch, Denmark
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The aim of the project was to give a background for raising awareness of technology, science and space flight among children in the first classes in primary schools. (Age 6 – 8 years) The project was based on the educational idea, to create an adventurous environment around individual, group and class activities, to initiate interest in space and space flight in the early years, with the hope that it would be possible to maintain this interest through childhood and into adulthood. The concept was to create a mobile educational kit, which could be transported around in Danish schools, and with the conditions that the material should targeting children without or with limited reading competence due to their introductory status in the school system. The project was constructed as an astronaut school over a week, with a structured storyline, which gives a basic knowledge about space, spaceflight and space research. The material was structured around 5 main activities: 1) communication and group cooperation, 2) basic knowledge about the Solar System, 3) physical training, 4) training of cognitive competences and 5) training of temporal-spatial skills. The materials contained a model of a space capsule 1x1x2 meter, divided in three modules in transportable large flight cases which can be connected together. The capsule was a central play module, where a group of children could gather as a space crew. Inside were control and communication modules and instruments as ex. a voltmeter reading voltage from outside solar panels. A landed Rover and a robotic arm on the capsule can be controlled from the inside. The Space capsules have an inboard computer giving tasks to the crew, and facilitating communication with mission control. The computer can be operated via a touch screen using an visual symbol and picture interface and a speech module which do not demand reading skills. The control centre, which is located in a separate flight case, function as a control and communication centre with the capsule, manned by another group of children. In addition, individual printed materials as an individual booklet covering the aspects of astronaut education and personal checklists of progress in the programme. The material is supplied with flight suits, space items for exhibition, space food, teacher manual and diplomas for completing the programme. The paper will discuss this program in relation to space education of young children, and advocate for a long-term educational strategy of early introduction to space activities, as a first step to build on for later space educational programmes in primary and secondary schools.
- Abstract document