NASA’s latest launch isn’t a rocket or satellite. Instead, it’s a website that will keep children engaged in science during a time when most schools are closed nationwide.
The new program, called NASA At Home, is packed full of activities for kids and families, including e-books, virtual tours and augmented reality, podcasts, “binge-worthy” videos, and an opportunity to be a scientist in your own home. For kids (or adults) who wonder what it would be like to pilot a NASA aircraft, there’s an app in the virtual tours and AR segment that allows them to do just that.
NASA has geared the program’s educational and entertaining resources and activities to families and students in kindergarten and up.
The program offers everything from “formal lesson plans to amazing imagery and stories about how science and exploration help the world,” and will include opportunities to interact and chat with scientists.
Children also can hear record-breaking astronaut Christina Koch read children’s books weekdays at 4 p.m. EDT on Instagram live.
“We know people everywhere, especially students, are looking for ways to get out of the house without leaving their house,” said Bettina Inclán, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of Communications. “NASA has a way for them to look to the skies and see themselves in space with their feet planted safely on the ground, but their imaginations are free to explore everywhere we go. We’ve put that information at their fingertips. We hope everyone takes a few moments to explore NASA at Home.”
In addition, NASA Television is running NASA at Home-themed programming 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Broadcasting around-the-clock will include “recent mission events and news, conversations with astronauts on the International Space Station, educational looks at science, technology and exploration topics, and historical programs from the agency’s storied past,” says the press release.
All activities can be found here.
Information about all of NASA’s programs, projects, and activities, can be found at https://www.nasa.gov.