Mine Craft in Space

Why NASA is Embracing the KERBAL Space Program

Interested in how to engage elementary students in STEM education through technology? There are many apps that can help. I would like to know which ones you have tried in a school or home setting and what were your results? What are your pro’s and con’s about the following apps? Some on the list are good to share with families of young children to learn more about outer space. After engaging in an exploration of the apps make sure you check out the video on the most realistic space app ever – Kerbal. Kerbal engages the player in a game where they can design spacecrafts and send the vehicles into space. By adjusting the speed of the spacecraft you can break through earth’s atmosphere and journey around the earth; but be prepared, this is a not a simple exercise and involves skill and an understanding of the pull of the earth’s gravity. Do not be discourage if your space vehicles crashes, learn from you experience and try again.

 

 

Outer Space Apps

If your kids like planets, stars, and other celestial wonders, here are some awesome apps to try under the night sky.
Browse Outer Space Apps

silly aliens

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Make a Martian
Age 4+
Kids have a blast making their own silly aliens.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2010)

DrSeuss style

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There’s No Place Like Space!: All About Our Solar System
Age 5+
Facts and features enhance space discovery, Dr. Seuss style.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2011)

 Stroll through the sky

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Star Walk Kids – Astronomy for Children
Age 6+
Stroll through the sky with kid-friendly astronomy tool.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2014)

 Celeste SE

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Celeste SE
Age 7+
Planets come to life through your smartphone’s camera view.
Devices: Android (2011)

NASA App

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NASA App
age 7+
Information-packed tool delivers videos, photos, and more.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2011)

Britannica Kids Solar System

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Britannica Kids: Solar System
age 8+
Great interactive reference tool with space games and quiz.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2011)

Mathmateer (formerly Rocket Math)

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Mathmateer (formerly Rocket Math)
Age  8+
Practice math skills and launch a rocket ship into space.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2011)

The Night Sky

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The Night Sky
Age  8+
Easy-to-use stargazing tool shines in its accessibility.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2012)

 Solar System Explorer

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Solar System Explorer
Age  8+
Beautiful astronomy app is a handheld planetarium.
Devices: Android (2013)

 Solar Walk - 3D Solar System model

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Solar Walk – 3D Solar System model
Age  8+
Beautifully illustrated, interactive model of solar system.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2014)

Star Chart

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Star Chart
Age  8+
A great way to explore the skies — just point your phone.
Devices: Android (2011)

Star Walk - 5 Star Astronomy Guide

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Star Walk – 5 Star Astronomy Guide
Age  8+
In-depth, detailed, and beautiful astronomy app.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2010)

SkyView - Explore the Universe

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SkyView – Explore the Universe
Age  9+
Astronomy app uses location to explain your view of the sky.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2011)

Arloon Solar System

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Arloon Solar System
Age  10+
Use augmented reality to explore a 3-D solar system.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2015)

DIY Sun Science

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DIY Sun Science
Age  10+
Spark kids’ interest with excellent, free astronomy tool.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2014)

Journey to the Exoplanets

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Journey to the Exoplanets
Age  10+
Vast expanses of stellar knowledge at older reading level.
Devices: iPad (2011)

Osmos

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Osmos
Age  10+
Unique, Zen-like puzzler requires patience to appreciate.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2010)

Sky Map

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Sky Map
Age  10+
Excellent tool encourage appreciation of the universe.
Devices: Android, Apps for Windows (2013)

 

Luna's Wandering Stars

Luna’s Wandering Stars
Age  12+
Gravity-powered astronomy game fun, teaches physics.
Platforms: Mac, Windows (2015)

Mobile Observator

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Mobile Observatory
Age  12+
Impressive tool for stargazing, learning about astronomy.
Devices: Android, Kindle Fire (2013)

STEM

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SimpleRockets
Age  12+
Space-science physics game a blast for budding engineers.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone (2014)

SkySafari

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SkySafari
Age  12+
Beautiful astronomy resource is rich with information.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2013)

STEM

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Stellarium Mobile Sky Map
Age  12+
Mobile planetarium brings night sky up close, beautifully.
Devices: Android (2013)

STEM

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Solar System for iPad
Age  13+
Well-written interactive book with lots of multimedia.
Devices: iPad

By Dr. Beth Bos, Ed.D.
Associate Professor
Texas State University