Young Astronaut Council
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Young Astronaut Council was formed by the White House and officially announced by President Ronald Reagan, newspaper columnist Jack Anderson and actress Drew Barrymore in 1984 to help kids experience the fun and adventure of learning.
Today it is the largest youth aerospace organization in the world. Its integrated, multimedia educational programs have been used by more than 2 million students and educators worldwide in Young Astronaut Chapters, the Young Astronaut Club, Space School, Young Astronauts on-line, and Young Astronauts International.
The Council is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Young Astronaut Program offers:
Mission: Science - a five-unit K-9 printed science education curriculum through which children explore what's in space, how we get there, how we live there, and what we do while we're there. Space provides the framework for the curriculum whose activities encompass and integrate earth and space science, physical science, and life science, as well as other subjects. Mission: Science incorporates the national science education standards and their inquiry-based approach. Each activity includes a cross-discipline activity to help children view the topic from a different perspective and develop additional skills.
Mission: Science is produced in three levels, K-3, 4-6, and 7-9, with age appropriate activities at each level.
The five sequential units of Mission: Science include:
Space School - a live, interactive Young Astronaut television program for grades 4-6 broadcast directly into classrooms twice weekly. Space School lessons are tied to and enhance the Mission: Science printed curriculum with NASA film footage and other graphics, regular features, and special guests.
Space Station Alpha: The Encounter - an entertaining CD-ROM adventure that challenges students to unlock the mysteries of an alien spacecraft by solving a series of educational puzzles. It enhances and reinforces the Mission: Science printed curriculum and the Space School television course in fun and interesting ways.
Young Astronauts On-line - allows members to download curriculum materials, enter contests, and participate in monitored chats with astronauts and other special guests in the Members Only section. The open section provides a forum for discussion with Young Astronauts worldwide and offers puzzles, games, and links to other space-related and educational sites.
Kids House an After-school Program - the KIDS curriculum helps children in after-school care develop academic, social, and life skills through fun and interesting activities. It promotes learning through discovery, encouraging children to explore, solve problems, and complete projects. Its easy-to-use format contains everything an after-school provider needs to conduct an activity. KIDS can be used in virtually any after-school setting.
[edit] External links
- Young Astronaut Council Official Webpage
