EDUCATION
EDUCATION NEWS
NASA’s Eyes
NASA created software over a decade ago that would help users visualize aspects of various Solar System objects. When I worked with NASA’s Outreach programming a dozen years ago, the representatives of the software showcasing their new products to the public was always the busiest person in the room. For good reason; the Eyes On software was amazing!
It still is. NASA has put all of the previous “Eyes On XYZ” apps under one easy-to-navigate site: https://eyes.nasa.gov. The richness and utility of this software is almost impossible to exaggerate. It’s easy to navigate, and is a font of information on the Sun, the Earth, the rest of the Solar System, Exoplanets, and more! The site includes “Solar System Tours,” such as Voyager, Cassini, New Horizons, Dawn, and more. The site also has access to apps about the Deep Space Network, Curiosity, Earth Now, and more. Check it out, especially with a young person interested in Solar System exploration and Astronomy!
NASA Internship Opportunities: See: https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs
Smithsonian Educational Programs for Early Learners! Smithsonian Magazine recently posted a piece about 13 innovative programs for early learners at downtown DC’s SI Units. There are a number of wonderful opportunities for helping visiting families inspire the children’s learning. I’m personally familiar with the National Air and Space Museum’s “Flights of Fancy Story Time’ (offered at both NASM sites, downtown and the Udvar-Hazy Center) and “Soar Together at Air and Space.” Check out the Magazine’s article here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/smithsonian-education/2024/05/07; it contains links to get more information about specific programs. [Congratulations to A and D!]
Follow-Up: Check out NASM’s latest Flights of Fancy Story Time, about “Spacey Science Experiments,” here. The Flights of Fancy Storytime’s playlist is here. NASM also offers “Music Time,” “Craft Time,” and “Looking Closely” (at objects from the NASM collection).
These are wonderful things for (grand)parents to share with their young ones!
Make Your Own Paper Models of Spacecraft: You can download and print pdf files with instructions and templates to produce 3-D models of Chandra, Compton, Fermi, the HST, and even the JWST and more! Learning retention increases with making such things! See: https://www.nasa.gov/stem-content/universe-spacecraft-paper-models. These make great (grand)parent-child projects!
Follow Up: Michael Hulslander, my friend and former colleague at NASM, has written a book, “Smithsonian Book of Paper Air Planes.” And these aren’t just the simple designs we made as kids; Mike’s designs are inspired by actual aircraft! Like NASA’s spacecraft, making them would be a wonderful family activity, both educational and fun. Find out more about the book from his piece in Smithsonian Magazine (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/smithsonian-books/2025/02/13/Now-You-Can-Fold-Planes-from-the-National-Air-and-Space-Museum-and-Watch-them-Fly). Get your own copy from retailers working with Smithsonian Books, here: https://www.smithsonianbooks.com/store/smithsonian/smithsonian-book-of-paper-airplanes.