Kerbal Space Program - Weekly Space Flight Simulator Challenges To Better Understand Rocket Science 14-18yo (Prerequisite Required)

Teacher Tom was featured as a top educator on Outschool's EPIC Spotlight for Passion-Driven Learning in 2021!

PREREQUISITE FOR THIS CLASS: Your learner must have Kerbal Space Program (Either 1 or 2 - Discount link available for KSP 1 below), know how to play Kerbal Space Program, be able to achieve a steady orbit using maneuver nodes, & understand what this means. If your learner does not have the prerequisite for this class please contact the teacher before enrolling and you will be provided with helpful tutorial links. 

Note: This class does not "teach" Kerbal Space Program, but instead teaches Rocket Science principles using Kerbal Space Program.

Come Explore the Wonders of Space, and the Joy of Rocket Science as you discuss Kerbal Space Program together with your friends! New learners are welcome anytime! This class runs year-round.  
Learners should be able to read independently.

***REQUIRED MATERIAL WILL TAKE TIME TO INSTALL/BECOME ORIENTED WITH. PLEASE SEE LEARNER SUPPLY LIST***

In this weekly class, we will challenge each other to exercise our creativity, research, and construction skills, while we learn together about the science behind how Rockets, Orbital Mechanics/Astrodynamics all work together. (Both inside the game, and in real life!)

Structure:

1- Learners can share what they have been working on in KSP throughout the week.
2 - As a class, we will decide on a challenge to work on during the upcoming week between classes, and begin discussing possible ways to achieve it.
3 - We will then discuss challenges that may be faced in the game while working on this challenge.
4 - We will also discuss possible real-world applications for this challenge, some of the challenges that might be faced, and the science behind it all.

Each week's challenge will be chosen by the learners together in class. Challenges can be anything from landing on certain planets, building space stations, or creating a specific kind of rocket in your own way. Learners will have varying experiences with KSP so they can add to or adjust their own personal mission to suit their abilities. We often collaborate on a project together with learners completing their assignments outside of class and uploading the files to the classroom for the teacher to combine into one big project.

This class is a "meeting of the minds" discussion group, where, just like real rocket scientists and their supporting teams, we meet often to plan out our next project/challenge and proactively plan, re-plan, troubleshoot, brainstorm, support, and collaborate.

If there is time left over at the end of our brainstorming sessions, learners are welcome to start on their challenges.

About Kerbal Space Program (KSP):
KSP is a rocket simulation program used by rocket scientists and gamers alike. Not only is it loads of fun, but it teaches many things about rocketry & space that are hard to learn outside of a real-time simulation like this.

It started as just a video game, but parts of it were built by NASA & the ESA, and many very successful rocket & space professionals still play it, while designing and flying real rockets. 

"In KSP, you must build space-worthy craft, capable of flying your crew out into space, without killing them. At your disposal is a collection of parts, which must be assembled to create a functional ship. Each part has its own function and will affect the way a ship flies (or doesn't). So strap yourself in, and get ready to try some Rocket Science! The game has different game modes, you can play the Career Mode if you want to expand and manage your own Space Center, taking on missions and researching new technologies. Or you can play Sandbox mode if you're only interested in flying and discovering the Kerbal universe without restrictions. There is even a midpoint between these two, Science mode."

Here are some examples of people who regularly play KSP:
-Elon Musk [Founder & Chief Engineer of SpaceX, Tesla, & more] -Claims it is his favorite game, by far.
-Tory Bruno [CEO of United Launch Alliance] -Regularly mentions it on Twitter, and calls KSP "The best computer game available".
-Peter Beck [CEO & Chief Engineer of Rocket Lab]
-Scott Kelly [NASA Astronaut who spent 520 days in space] -Uses KSP to teach people about Orbital Mechanics.

(See below under "learner supply list" for where to purchase KSP with a non-affiliated discounted link provided)

Here are some links to my other Space & Rocket classes:

Current Events in Space Technology & Rocket Launches -https://outschool.com/classes/current-events-in-space-technology-and-rocket-launches-as-they-happen-14-18yo-9eAnlF47?usid=8VOYFMNV&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link

I also offer these classes to 8-10 & 10-14 age groups as well as classes in 1:1 STEM tutoring, Ham Radio, Finish Carpentry, Tools, Antarctic Exploration, Book Clubs, Lego Challenges, & more! Please see my Teacher Profile for more classes and follow me to be notified when more classes are posted!