PLANETS Units Have Landed: Free NASA-Funded Out-of-School Time Resources
The NASA Science Activation program’s PLANETS project—Planetary Learning that Advances the Nexus of Engineering, Technology, and Science—has officially launched three free out-of-school time (OST) units. Led by Northern Arizona University (NAU), these units provide learners in grades 3-5 and 6-8 with the opportunity to engage in authentic planetary science and engineering activities. Each unit is supported by detailed educator guides, videos, and a variety of resources designed to enhance learning.
These three units—Space Hazards, Water in Extreme Environments, and Remote Sensing—offer complementary science and engineering pathways. Educators can teach these units individually or combine them for a more comprehensive experience. The development process involved planetary science experts from the USGS Astrogeology Science Center collaborating closely with STEM education specialists from Northern Arizona University’s Center for STEM Teaching & Learning, the Boston Museum of Science, and WestEd. This collaboration ensured that the activities are scientifically accurate, engaging, and educational.
Inclusive Design and Educational Support in PLANETS Units
PLANETS units have been intentionally designed to support all learners. The curriculum incorporates research-based teaching strategies that address the needs of multilingual learners, Indigenous learners, and students with varying physical abilities. These units have undergone extensive testing in out-of-school time programs across the United States. Feedback from these programs helped refine the materials to better meet the diverse needs of learners.
To assist educators, PLANETS provides a practical guide with advice on how to effectively teach all students. Each unit includes background information for educators, instructional videos, and numerous tips. Additionally, the materials link to relevant NASA projects and resources, enriching the learning experience. As Kara Branch, CEO and Founder of Black Girls Do Engineer, notes, PLANETS is “one of the most thoughtfully designed STEM resources” for out-of-school settings. She highlights its engaging, accessible hands-on activities, real-world relevance, and strong support for diverse learners, making it an excellent resource for educators at any experience level.
Details of the PLANETS Units
The Space Hazards unit, designed for grades 3-5, introduces students to the challenges posed by various hazards on Earth and in space. Through a card game, learners explore how astronauts and robotic probes protect themselves from these dangers. The engineering pathway challenges students to design a space glove that keeps astronauts safe while allowing them to work effectively.
The Water in Extreme Environments unit targets grades 6-8. In the science pathway, students use “water cards” to discover where water exists in the solar system, revealing that Earth is not the planet with the most water. The engineering pathway focuses on the scarcity of fresh water in extreme environments on Earth and for astronauts in space. Students are tasked with designing a filtration system to purify water for reuse.
Also for grades 6-8, the Remote Sensing unit immerses students in the role of NASA spacecraft engineers. The engineering pathway has learners design remote sensing devices to study planetary surfaces, such as Mars. The science pathway uses actual NASA remote sensing data from Mars landing site candidates to help students select the best location for a rover landing.
All PLANETS materials are freely accessible at planets-stem.org. These resources empower learners to see themselves as scientists and engineers, fostering curiosity and problem-solving skills.
PLANETS is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number NNX16AC53 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. This initiative connects NASA science experts, authentic content, and community leaders to create engaging science experiences that deepen understanding of Earth and space. More information about Science Activation can be found at https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/.
For more stories on this topic, visit our category page.
Source: original article.