Intergalactic Learning with Magnets
Educational Technology
Space Junk Warm-up
The first iteration of these magnetic learning activities involved a table and a spherical magnet that could be maneuvered under the table to control the magnetically enhanced, laser-cut shapes on top of the table. Three unique shapes could be individually slid across the table to collect the confetti and move it to the designated collection point on the table. Within this lesson, students are given context for what is commonly referred to as "space junk".
After students are informed about the causes and future threats of space debris, they have the opportunity to engage in a playful interaction that commits it to memory. The confetti represents space debris and the different magnetic shapes represent unique potential methods of effectively collecting these debris. Students are tasked to test the different designs by seeing which shape of collector is most effective in gathering "debris" the fastest.
The physicality and hand-eye coordination of this activity creates a greater chance of students recalling their learned space debris information later on.
