Space Art Explorations: Children's Creativity
About Educational Resource
Space Art Explorations is a prototype science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) festival specifically designed for children’s museums interested in space science. The three hands-on activities of Space Art Explorations are Nebulae Spin Art, Shaving Cream Nebula Prints, and Hot Wax Nebula Creations, which can be used separately or together by educators to add astrophysics content to their ongoing programming. These are facilitated activities with advanced preparation, clean-up, and consumables. A small amount of background knowledge about nebulae is included for each activity and embedded in the provided signage.
This Program Model was developed and authored by Children's Creativity Museum, with minimal editorial input and review from NASA's Universe of Learning. NASA's Universe of Learning has contributed astrophysics content and subject matter expertise to support the creation of this material.
Other organizations may adapt these materials to meet the needs of their specific audiences. While this Program Model was designed to serve the local audience of the authoring institution, it is shared here as an example for broader use. Users should adjust it as needed and use all or some of the content, as appropriate, for their own needs.
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Goals and Recommendations
Goals
To excite the audience through hands on learning and introduce wider audiences to the science of planetary nebulae.
Recommendations
Subject matter experts are great additions to any event. Although they are not necessary to run these programs, local volunteers with experience in astronomy (amateur or professional) benefit organizations using these materials.
The target audience for this program model is families with young children. The associated activities are designed to be attractive to children's museums working with children age 4 and up.
Assets
NASA's Universe of Learning Resources
Program Model Documentation
- Program Model
- Nebula Spin Art
- Shaving Cream Nebula Prints
- Hot Wax Nebula Creations