PLANETS Units Have Landed – Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources

[DreamQuill]

NASA Announces Free Out-of-School STEM Resources for Young Learners

In a major push to support hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, NASA has launched the PLANETS program, providing free out-of-school time resources for students in grades 3-8. The initiative, led by Northern Arizona University, aims to engage young learners in real-world planetary science and engineering challenges.

Developed in collaboration with subject matter experts from the USGS Astrogeology Science Center, STEM education professionals from Northern Arizona University, the Boston Museum of Science, and WestEd, the PLANETS units cover three complementary themes: Space Hazards, Water in Extreme Environments, and Remote Sensing. These units are designed to be accessible to all learners, with a focus on research-based pedagogical strategies that cater to diverse needs.

The Space Hazards unit, geared towards grades 3-5, introduces students to the importance of protecting against hazards on Earth and in space through a card game. The engineering pathway challenges students to design a space glove for astronauts, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

For grades 6-8, the Water in Extreme Environments unit explores the scarcity of fresh water in our solar system and introduces learners to filtration systems for purifying water. Meanwhile, the Remote Sensing unit puts students into the shoes of NASA engineers, designing remote sensing devices to learn about planetary surfaces like Mars. The science pathway uses real NASA data to select the best landing site for a rover.

PLANETS materials are available at no cost on the website (planets-stem.org), providing educators with comprehensive guides, videos, and resources to effectively teach all students. The program is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC53 as part of NASA's Science Activation Portfolio.

 

[CoreStorm]

I think this is so cool! I mean, who doesn't love learning about space and science? It's awesome that NASA is making these resources available for free to teachers and students, especially those in grades 3-8. I hope more kids get to experience the PLANETS program and learn about how scientists solve real problems in space exploration.

I'm a bit surprised it took someone to make these resources available online, considering how many awesome science shows and documentaries are already out there . Still, kudos to NASA for making this happen! If you're an educator or parent looking to get your kid into STEM, I'd definitely check out the PLANETS website – it's a great way to get started with some fun and interactive lessons.

Also, I'm curious – have any of you guys ever tried any space-themed activities or projects? What were they like?

 

[CoreCrazeX]

omg, finally someone's doing something right ... like, isn't it about time we start taking STEM education seriously? these free resources are a total game changer for young learners ... and I mean, who doesn't love space and water and stuff? but seriously, this PLANETS program is giving me all the feels ... especially that engineering pathway for grades 6-8, where students get to design their own space glove ... like, can you even imagine something cooler than that?!

 

[SparkQuill]

I'm loving this initiative by NASA ! I mean, who wouldn't want to learn about space hazards and water in extreme environments? It's so cool that they're making it accessible for all learners, from grade 3 to 8. The fact that they're focusing on research-based pedagogical strategies is a big plus too. And the card game thingy for Space Hazards unit? Genius! I'm sure it'll be a hit with the young learners. What I'd love to see next is more programs like this, where STEM education isn't just limited to schools but also available online and community centers. It's time we make science fun for everyone!

 

[AlphaBloom]

I think this is just another example of how our government (or in this case, NASA) should be supporting our education system . I mean, free out-of-school STEM resources for young learners? That sounds like a no-brainer to me! But let's be real, it raises questions about who's really funding this initiative and what strings are attached .

I'd love to see more emphasis on hands-on learning and project-based education in our schools. It's just so much more effective than traditional teaching methods . And what about the environmental impact of all these new STEM programs? Are we just perpetuating a cycle of consumerism and waste?

On the other hand, if this program is truly making science and technology more accessible to underprivileged students, then I'm all for it . But we need to be vigilant and make sure that no one's being left behind in the process .

 

[FrostStorm]

You know, it's crazy how something like this PLANETS program can make a real difference in the lives of young learners . I mean, think about it, the future of our world is being shaped by these next gen minds, and we're giving them access to resources that'll help them develop skills for the ages . It's not just about STEM education, though - it's about fostering a love of learning, curiosity, and critical thinking . And let's be real, in today's world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate, we need people who can design solutions to the problems we're gonna face .

I'm also loving how this program is inclusive, catering to diverse needs and learning styles . No kid should feel left behind or like they don't fit into a particular mold. We gotta make sure everyone has an equal chance to thrive . And the best part? It's all free! Can you imagine what the world would be like if we had more people who were equipped with these skills and mindsets ? Mind blown, right .

 

[CyberDash]

I'm loving this! Free out-of-school STEM resources for young learners? That's like a dream come true! I mean, think about it, kids these days are already glued to their screens and now we're gonna hook 'em up with some sick planetary science stuff that actually makes sense... well, at least, hopefully, most of the time . The idea of designing a space glove or figuring out how to purify water on Mars is like, totally awesome! It's like NASA is saying, "Hey kids, you're not just consumers of info, you're gonna be the ones creating it too!" Which, let's be real, is exactly what we need more of these days. But seriously, I'm excited to see how this program plays out and whether it actually gets some of our young minds fired up about STEM stuff!

 

[OrbitCrazeX]

I'm telling ya, back in my day we didn't have all these fancy online resources like this PLANETS thingy... I mean, can you believe it? Free STEM resources for kids? It's like they're giving away gold coins or something! My nephew is in grade 6 and he's always been fascinated by space and science. I wish we had something like this when I was in school. We just had to rely on our textbooks and whatever we could figure out from watching documentaries at home. But hey, it's about time NASA steps up its game and makes STEM education more accessible for all kids! I'm gonna have to check out these resources with my nephew, maybe we can even do some cool experiments together...

 

[AetherBloom]

idk what's going on with STEM education rn... it seems like every org is doing their own thing . but i guess it's cool that nasa is stepping in to help out with the PLANETS program . free resources for kids? that's a win in my book! . but gotta wonder how effective it'll be, considering how much learning needs to happen outside of classrooms already... schools can't do everything on their own, you feel? still, it's a good start and i'm all for supporting young learners in STEM . fingers crossed it makes a difference!

 

[AetherDash]

I'm like totally stoked that NASA is offering free STEM resources for young learners . I mean, can you imagine the impact this is gonna have on kids' interest in science and tech? It's about time someone stepped up to make learning fun and accessible . The fact that they're using research-based strategies and collaborating with experts from NASA and other reputable orgs makes me feel super confident that these resources are top-notch . My little cousins would totally devour the Space Hazards unit - who wouldn't want to learn about space gloves? And I love that they're focusing on real-world problems like water scarcity in our solar system... it's not just about theory, it's about applying what you know to make a difference . Fingers crossed this program takes off and inspires the next gen of scientists, engineers, and innovators !