STARS

The social consequences of the Corona pandemic are drastic, especially for children and young people. According to a study by the BMFSFJ in June 2021, they in particular are affected by fears for the future, depression and self-isolation. Due to the sluggish digitization of schools, online instruction could only contribute rudimentarily to acquiring knowledge with pleasure. The result is demotivation, disillusionment and learning deficits, which are often reflected in poor grades. This vicious circle is particularly disastrous for children from socially weaker backgrounds.

In our workshops, children and young people are to find fun in learning again and ways out of self-isolation. We use the topics of modern space flight to conduct extracurricular, interdisciplinary workshops. In doing so, we focus on edutainment - the transfer of knowledge through entertainment. After all, our aim is to arouse enthusiasm for scientific subjects and topics as well as to strengthen confidence in their own capabilities.

First and foremost, we want to give children and young people a positive outlook on the future again. We want to promote their confidence in their own ability and encourage them to believe that they are capable of mastering even complex challenges. To do this, we create an environment in which they can experience self-efficacy and rely on the support of the entire group.

In our workshops, we make them aware, among other things, that space flight is particularly important in dealing with climate change and its consequences. We also show them that a sustainable future requires a wide range of different professions for which skilled workers are already desperately needed, and that they are in the best position to move mountains with curiosity, knowledge and creativity - and at best to save the future of planet Earth.

To this end, we present examples of groundbreaking ideas that inspire: Satellites the size of a shoebox detect forest fires in real time before the first fire is visible. Rockets fly into space using candle wax as fuel. Scrap metal in Earth orbit is recycled and used to build a moon base.

In this way, we can arouse interest in the topic and, particularly with regard to the STEM subjects, underpin the theoretical content of school lessons with practical examples. Last but not least, this is how we counteract the shortage of skilled workers.

With our workshops, we pursue a practice-oriented approach that builds on learning through self-efficacy experiences. The content we impart is based on curricula and takes into account all learning requirement areas. We also use space travel as a powerful lever to stimulate interest in complex topics and issues.

Based on this, the workshops are prepared like missions. The core element is a fictional scenario in which teamwork and creativity are essential. In role plays, the participants have to solve practical tasks, which can only be achieved by linking different disciplines and exchanging ideas together. The mission ends with the de-briefing and a detailed evaluation.

Our workshops are a leisure activity that can only be enjoyed outside of the home and promote exchange with others. At the same time, children and young people can break out of the monotony of everyday life, in which corona-related and -reinforced worries about the future are omnipresent. The successful completion of a mission strengthens their self-confidence in their own ability and subsequently gives them confidence that they can also achieve positive results in other areas of life.

We have the idea, a concept and already the first confirmed registrations. Almost 300 children and young people are already looking forward to our workshops in July 2022.

If the funding is successful, we will not only be able to give them an excursion from their everyday lives, but also show them the appreciation that is indispensable. For example, with personal certificates for successfully completed missions. Or with a mission T-shirt that identifies them as a member of a committed community. But also with information materials that enable them to engage with the topic over the long term.

In addition, we want to make our workshops even better known in the future so that even more children and young people have access to them. For this, classic advertising materials such as flyers, posters or postcards are indispensable.

Last but not least, we also need a basic set of workshop materials. In addition to paper and pens, these include large-format printouts of satellite images, illustrative materials and technical equipment.