A Spacial Day
A day full of interactive, fun, and educational activities about space!
With 8 stations featuring quick "touch-and-go" games for the most curious minds who love hands-on learning, there are activities for all tastes and ages. Children will receive a "space passport" that gets stamped at each station they visit, and at the end, they'll receive a small prize for their participation.
Target Audience
Children aged 5 to 13 with curiosity about space and a desire to learn in a fun way!
The 8 Space Activities
1. Hit the Black Hole
Educational context: With this activity, we aim to explain in a simplified way what the much-talked-about black holes are.
Challenge: Children will try to hit black paper cups (representing black holes) with ping pong balls.
2. Communicating in Space
Educational context: Communication in space is difficult, requiring the use of alternative communication methods. In this activity, we encourage children to explore different forms of communication, using their creativity.
Challenge: One child is an astronaut and the other is on the spacecraft, and they must pass a message to return to Earth! Children will have to communicate their messages through alternative means, with the astronaut using mime and the one on the spacecraft drawing.
Note: At least 2 children are needed to start the activity; if there are more, they should form groups.
3. Recreate a Constellation
Educational context: Introduce children to constellations and their historical context.
Challenge: Draw a real constellation using wooden spatulas.
Note: Drawings with examples of constellations will be provided to younger children for inspiration.
4. Discovering Our Solar System
Educational context: Test children's knowledge about the solar system while sharing interesting facts about it.
Challenge: Various balls of different sizes representing the planets of the solar system will be arranged. The goal is to order the planets according to their relative sizes. During the activity, we will ask and/or share facts about each planet.
5. Building a Satellite
Educational context: Introduce what satellites are and what they're used for. In this activity, children will also learn what satellites are made of.
Challenge: Using 3D-printed pieces with simple connectors, assemble a model of a real nano-satellite.
6. Bending Space
Educational context: Visually explain the effect of heavy bodies (like planets and stars) that can "bend" space. This representation helps understand concepts like gravity and orbits.
Challenge: Place a heavy ball in the center of a stretched cloth and see how it deforms it. Then, launch smaller balls and observe how they rotate around this body.
7. Build a Rocket!
Educational context: While stimulating their creativity, we will briefly introduce the concept of rocket propulsion.
Challenge: Assemble a small paper rocket, decorated as desired, with a cardboard straw at its center, which can then be used to launch the rocket by blowing through a straw.
8. Space Quiz
This is the final challenge! To participate, children must have their passport fully stamped.
Here we'll test the space knowledge they've acquired throughout the stations to win a prize - a satellite keychain!
Example questions:
- Can you name the planets of the solar system in order?
- Name three constellations
- What's the name of our galaxy?
- What is a black hole?
- What was the first living being to go to space?
Event Format
Full Day
- Duration: 10am-6pm (full day)
- Investment: €1,300
- Includes all 8 activities and materials for participants
Half Day
- Duration: 4 hours (morning or afternoon)
- Investment: €750
- Condensed version with selected activities
What's Included
- 8 interactive stations with "touch-and-go" activities
- Personalized space passport for each child
- Stamps at each station visited
- Participation prize at the end (satellite keychain)
- Specialized monitors from Espaço ao Cubo
- All necessary materials for the activities
Educational Objectives
- Spark children's interest in space and science
- Promote learning through hands-on experimentation
- Stimulate curiosity and critical thinking
- Provide a memorable and educational day
- Introduce concepts such as black holes, constellations, solar system, satellites, gravity, and propulsion
How to Organize at Your School
To schedule "A Spacial Day" at your school and receive more information about the activities, contact us through the contact page or send an email to workshops@espacoaocubo.pt.
Let's transform your day into an unforgettable space adventure!
Note: Material quantities can be adjusted according to the expected number of participants.