Kindergarteners Learn About the “House of Space”

This month, the three kindergarten classes had a unique opportunity to learn about the “House of Space” and life on the International Space Station (ISS).

Kindergarten teacher Thomas’s brother works for the European Space Agency. His work includes serving as a communication liaison between the ISS and Earth during several space missions. He joined the kindergarteners in a virtual session to discuss the ISS, what life is like in the space station, and how it was built.

The kindergarteners are exploring the central idea of “People need shelter, which comes in different forms.” Throughout the unit, they have learned about houses and buildings around the world, why they are different, and why we need shelter.

The virtual visit took the unit to another level, giving students the chance to learn about a shelter in space and compare it to what they have learned about shelters on Earth. The students got to ask questions about life in the ISS, including how astronauts sleep, cook, eat, and go to the bathroom.

They also learned about the international collaboration that goes into the ISS. While different parts of the world have different sections in the ISS, they come together to eat, exercise, and collaborate on projects while on space missions.