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Introduction
The aim of this 3-month interdisciplinary project was to inspire students in grades 11 and 12 (focusing on girls), to become interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) by combining STEM, Space and Environmental Education. Students engaged in a blended learning environment, combining subjects like mathematics, physics, coding, engineering and environmental studies to propose solutions for real-world problems, and as such, promote their computational thinking and transversal skills. The project was implemented as part of the STEM DISCOVERY CAMPAIGN 2023 (SDC23) and took part during the ICT and computer science lessons combining indoor and outdoor activities.
Activities Overview
The students started with a kick-off activity by participating in the ESA (European Space Agency) Astro PI – Mission Zero. This non-competitive activity is designed to introduce computer coding to students using the context of space, and aims to improve their STEM literacy and soft skills through teamwork on a scientific project. They collaborated in teams and wrote a program in Python to design an image of fauna or flora which was then sent to an Astro Pi computer on board the International Space Station (ISS) to remind the astronauts of home. At the end of this activity, they received a certificate with the exact location where the ISS was when their code ran.
Having their curiosity sparked, the next activities introduced them to satellites and their role in Earth Observations. Using mobile devices and the NASA Globe Observer Citizen Science application, they went outside the classroom to record observations on clouds and sky conditions precisely when NASA satellites METEOSAT-10 and VIIRS NOAA20 passed over our school region. Later they compared their observations to those made by NASA satellites during their pass, identified differences and tried to explain them. They learned how clouds impact the local climate and weather, how satellites provide valuable information on Earth’s atmosphere and energy from above and understand how their clouds’ ground measurements can help scientists having a more comprehensive understanding of the clouds. The aim of this outdoor activity was to teach students about science and technology while also providing them with an opportunity to participate in real-world research projects. Furthermore, they participated in the SDC23 “Look Up Cloud Hunters 2023“competition and were awarded as “Cloud Hunters Specialists 2023”.
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To understand how satellites can communicate with Earth, the students conducted outdoor experiments in the schoolyard using sound waves as an analogy for light waves and an umbrella as a terrestrial antenna. Once again, they used their mobile devices and the FIZZIQ app, which allowed them to create sounds as well as register the sound intensity on a graphical representation. They experimented with a sound transmitter, recording the sound intensity while varying the distance between the transmitter and receiver. Additionally, they conducted similar experiments with an umbrella placed behind the transmitter to simulate terrestrial antennas. However, they encountered challenges due to extraneous noises, which affected the reliability of their results. To address this, they repeated the experiments indoors and concluded that the presence of parabolic antennas indeed boosts the signal.
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Diving further into satellites, the students learned about their components (essential and payload) and their role in monitoring Earth. For this purpose, they used the online interactive simulation “Albatross satellite mission” to build and launch a satellite designed to gather data about endangered animals like albatrosses.
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Next, they learned about CubeSats, which are real satellites that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Following the “Make a model CubeSat and micro:bit sun sensor” instructions, they created a physical replica of a 10 cm3 CubeSat and program their BBC Micro:bit micro-processor to monitor the intensity of the light shining on it. They understand the significance of sensors (especially light sensors), as satellites use their solar panels to convert the energy of the sun into electricity, which powers them.
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The concluding part of the project aimed to raise awareness not only about space professions and the significant contributions of women in it, but also about the historical and ongoing use of animals in science and space exploration. The students investigated space-related professions, exchanged information and thoughts on a real-time online wall, created posters about women in space, and learned about the role of animals as pioneers in the first flights to space, as well as their continued involvement in Life-science Spacelab missions today.
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The project would not be complete without the involvement of experts working in the space industry, as they played a crucial role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications. By providing real-world insights, fostering deeper understanding and inspiring career aspirations, these experts encourage students to establish meaningful connections between their academic knowledge and the practical applications in the field.
At first, the students interviewed Mr. Jim Volp, an MSc and MBA Systems Engineer Manager in Satellite Operations at OHB Digital Connect Germany, using the STEM ALLIANCE career sheet template. Impressed with his answers, they requested and received permission to send him additional questions. After thoughtful study, they shared their reflections and insights in a shared document. The whole activity was carried out asynchronously in English, and the students used online translation tools when needed.
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The active involvement and motivation of the students during those activities led us to arrange a face-to-face meeting with a local space expert. Dr. Dimitris Paronis, a physicist specializing in satellite remote sensing from the National Observatory of Athens, Institute of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications, and Remote Sensing, kindly accepted our school’s invitation to attend in person and share insights about his career and profession. The event was effectively communicated within the school community, and was attended by our headmaster, along with 40 students and five teachers from various disciplines.
The students had prepared their own questions in advance. Following Dr. Paronis’s engaging presentation titled “Mission to Planet Earth,” during which he explained the crucial role of satellites in telecommunications and Earth monitoring, including weather patterns, climate change, land use, vegetation health, ocean currents, air quality, and natural disasters, the students formally introduced themselves and conducted an interview followed by a discussion.
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Throughout this activity, the students took meticulous notes of Dr. Paronis’ responses which they later used in the classroom for discussions and reflection. They shared their thoughts in a document, expressing what impressed them the most and how they envision pursuing similar careers in the future.
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Conclusion
Throughout this project, students applied critical and computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities, while collaborating in teams and improving their communication, teamwork and interdisciplinary learning skills. They gained basic programming skills, understood the role of clouds in the climate using the NASA GLOBE OBSERVER Citizen Science mobile application, enhanced their knowledge about satellites and space-related professions, created a 3D model of a CubeSat, reflected on the role of women in space, and debated the ethical considerations of using animals in science.
The space-related indoor and outdoor activities sparked students’ curiosity and kept them motivated throughout the project. Engaging with experts from the space industry bridged classroom learning with real-world applications. The students were truly impressed by the experts’ career trajectories, the valuable insights they shared, and their dedication to making a positive impact.
This experience inspired the students and emphasized the importance of connecting academic knowledge with practical implementation, laying the foundation for future collaborations between the school and professionals. Overall, the project had a positive impact on both students and teachers.
Author: Georgia Lascaris
Author of images: Georgia Lascaris
License: CC-BY
Georgia Lascaris is a software engineer who has devoted the last eighteen years to teaching ICT and Computer Science in public schools in Greece, igniting her students’ passion for coding and technological innovation. As a Scientix Ambassador, STEAM Career Adviser Member, Code Week Leader, and In Action for a Better World Ambassador, she is dedicated to inspiring her students to use the technology for addressing real-world challenges.
Tags: astronomy, astrophysics, Computer Science, creativity, ICT, problem-based, problem-solving, space, STEM, STEM careers, STEM education, women in science
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