This weekend has been an exciting one for our family, as we are massive Science and Space Exploration (and Science Fiction) enthusiasts!
Do your children love astronauts, space, rockets etc.?
Our little man is 3 years 8 months old and super keen on everything outer space! So we have been (scaffolding) unpacking this emerging interest and curiosity as we prepare for, watch and celebrate SpaceX and NASA’s momentous Crew Dragon test Launch this weekend.
We have been building our own rockets with Duplo, magnetic geometric shapes, and recycled materials, discussing rocket science and aerospace engineering and recycling technology for sustainability. We have been creating replicas of SpaceX’s groundbreaking reusable boosters using cardboard rolls stuck to an egg carton, launching our rocket, detaching our boosters and landing them safely on the ground whilst watching videos of the SpaceX tests. We’ve discussed why this is important for sustainability and future space exploration. Our little guy thought innovatively and proposed they use trampolines to help the boosters land safely! I will be sure to notify Elon Musk of this groundbreaking theory! 😅
We have been discussing the safety protocols, problem solving, trial and error and testing processes of new rockets, and how aerospace engineers and rocket scientists need to be persistent even when first attempts fail, ensuring rockets are safe before allowing people/Astronauts to fly. We could explore this with our Duplo and geometric magnetic shape rockets as they fall apart when not designed, built or handled safely or in a certain way.
And of course we are exploring imagination and innovation, creating new designs and technologies with our various resources, and imagining space adventures and future human civilizations in space/on Mars. We’ve been discussing shapes in our designs and exploring symbolic representation (these blocks are the rockets).
Our little man has been exploring these concepts for a while, so these complex explorations are responsive of his current understandings and skills. Maybe you could unpack and investigate this ‘theme’/’topic’ with your children responsive of their understandings, curiosities and skills?
Critically Reflecting on my pedagogy re: this Inquiry Topic, I consider MY knowledge. It is important to me as an Educator that I recognise the importance of ongoing professional development and learning. I need to ensure that my understandings on this topic and STEM concepts/processes, develop with my son so I can support his exploration and learning.