Lunar Nautics

The "mission" we were sent home with from Space Academy for Educators was to awake in our students, regardless their gender, the interest for Maths, Science and technology, by means and with the aim of space exploration. We were given a lot of nice ideas and materials, but only now could I find the time to value a tiny bit of that.
We had a cross-curricular activity called Lunar Nautics, centered on the exploration of the Moon. My Physics colleague ( also a Space Camp graduate) and I targeted 13 years old kids, in the 7th grade, as it's the most likely time they would seriously think of their future, a year before having to graduate.
The activity had 3 parts: one on multimedia exploration of the Moon (resources, Geography, phases, a game on selecting a landing site etc.) and presentation of the NASA missions, vehicles, goals and every-day benefits of the space studies. The second was aimed on team spirit and communication: the Apollo missions and their mission patches, designing our own mission patch, roles in the team, a game on "Digital Imagery Communication". The third was motivational and relaxing: the future vehicles, movies on the first landing on the Moon and on the long-term plans, including the exploration of Mars. Of course, all this is just a part of what we did.
We prepared a lot and had a lot of help. In fact, it's the first time I can remember the team work was perfect. Many people offered to do something, from the ICT teacher who took care of the logistics to the Literature teacher who promised to take care of follow-ups: essays and questionnairs. One of my Maths colleagues made wonderful leaflets and badges for the kids, we had worksheets and written directions for some of the games etc.
I'm REALLY happy with the result- the kids had great fun and learned a lot, although some already knew some basic things on space history, for example they told us the name of the man who first stepped on the Moon: Louis Armstrong! :)
Next week- International Pi Day. It's actually tomorrow ( March 14th: 3.14; besides, it's Einstein's birthday), but we cannot do all at once. I'll keep you posted.