The Fascination of Outer Space through STEAM Projects at the Nicolae Stoleru Secondary School, Baia (Romania)

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The fascination with the cosmos has gripped humanity since ancient times. The idea that there could be other forms of life in the universe has always preoccupied scientists. Likewise, explanations were sought for the movement of the planets, the day-night cycle, the change of seasons and the influence of the phases of the moon on metabolism.

This is why astronomy came into being as the science of cosmic space and everything it encompasses. We can only be grateful to the visionaries and pioneers who dedicated their lives to studying the stars, constantly making new findings and advancing the world.

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This year, World SpaceWeek, held from 1–10 October, aims to educate, inspire and connect the global community by focusing on the powerful alliance between space technology and climate science.

In schools, we were encouraged to carry out projects with students that explore the important role of space exploration in improving our understanding of and ability to manage the Earth’s climate.

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The third-grade A students at the Nicolae Stoleru Secondary School in Baia, Suceava County, carried out the ‘Space and Climate Change’ project. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to practise STEAM skills through exciting, unique activities adapted to their interests and age, in which the digital component played a special role.

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Students are attracted to such projects and become fully engaged, either in small or larger groups. Their motivation and interest in learning increases unconsciously. The benefits of such holistic approaches are countless, from the advantages of collaborative and one-to-one learning (as it is known that students learn much more easily from each other) to discovery-based learning, also known as “long-term learning”, and finally experiential learning, which is considered the best way to accumulate knowledge, skills and abilities.

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Activities carried out within the project in STEAM fields include:

• Sciences: The study of the Solar System, including the eight planets, their satellites, meteorites, meteors and comets, as well as galaxies, with the help of educational videos and augmented reality applications, such as Devar, Star Walk and Space 4D, which were downloaded to the students’ phones.
• Technologies: Creating puzzles and other digital products in various applications and platforms: Word Cloud, ChatterPix Kids, Canva, Genial.ly and Filmora.
• Engineering: Making rockets and space constructions, such as the International Space Station and models with space elements, in practical workshops from reusable materials.
• Arts: The creation of artistic works that reveal spatial elements, satellites and living environments affected by climate change; drawings and models; writing poems and essays; learning the song I’m an Astronaut.
• Mathematics: Ordering the eight planets of the Solar System according to different criteria, such as size, distance from the Sun and temperature.

In conclusion, this project stimulated students’ mental processes, particularly critical thinking, memory, attention, vocabulary and creative imagination. Above all, it encouraged communication, collaboration and quick problem solving by finding advantageous solutions — 21st-century skills.

Through its connections with real life — the universe, stars and planets in motion, the phases of the moon, the formation of days and nights, seasons that bring major changes and satellites sent into space to monitor changes, including climate — this approach provides a wonderful opportunity to inspire students to dream of becoming astronomers or astronauts, special jobs that could greatly improve the future of the world.

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About the author

Mihaela Gogu is a Scientix Ambassador and a primary school teacher at the Nicolae Stoleru Secondary School in Baia, Suceava County, Romania.

She is passionate about organising and carrying out innovative projects and activities, and wants to contribute creative ideas to the diversification of existing content in the Scientix educational network to promote various activities and resources that can inspire teachers interested in STEM subjects.

She also wants to experience new classroom approaches and models of good practice proposed by other Ambassadors, disseminating successful activities and projects through various channels. Finally, she wants to evolve in her career through collaboration and communication with international Scientix network professionals.

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