This 6-hour outdoor adventure turns 3rd graders into “rescue astronauts” tasked with saving a damaged planet by solving real-world environmental crises. The journey follows 6 stages, where teams must build functional water filters, cross “lava fields” with sturdy bridges, and engineer wind-resistant shelters. Using a mix of natural and recycled materials, students apply scientific and design thinking cycles to protect their mission from simulated “alien winds” and pollution. A unique focus on “SPIRIT skills” integrates emotional feedback after every challenge, helping students name their feelings by using weather icons like “sunny” or “stormy.” The mission concludes with a Reflective walk with emotional prompts, where teams celebrate both their engineering triumphs and their growth in empathy and resilience.

Brief description of the STEAM program

During experiential STEAM-day, students take on the urgent role of young astronauts sent to rescue a damaged planet — echoing real environmental crises like pollution, natural disasters, and climate change. The activity mirrors real-life needs for clean water, stable infrastructure, and protection from extreme weather. These are challenges children have likely seen in news stories, local discussions, or experienced during family hikes or city flooding. They must work together to solve practical survival problems, making the learning deeply relevant and memorable.

Age group/ Grade	Student numbers	Duration	Number of stages	Subject(s)
4th-grade students	Whole class (max. 30 students) in teams of 5–6 students	minimum 360 minutes	6 stages	naturalscience, arts, environmental studies, mathematics, and physical education, design and technology.