Enhancing Astronomy Education through an Interactive STEM Day Program

Abstract

The Great Space Adventure was a dynamic STEM outreach event hosted at Eastern Kentucky University’s Hummel Planetarium in collaboration with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Kentucky Wing. Designed to communicate the significance of the April 2024 total solar eclipse and introduce students to aerospace education, the event brought together university faculty, CAP cadets, students, and community members for a day of immersive, hands-on learning in space science, aerospace, and engineering. Participants rotated through a series of interactive stations, including physical eclipse modeling, indoor and outdoor rocketry, drone piloting, flight simulators, and 3D planetary modeling. These activities emphasized active engagement, scientific exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, with guidance from faculty, EKU student assistants, and CAP cadets. The event concluded with a live planetarium show that visually simulated the solar eclipse and deepened participants’ understanding of celestial motion. By repurposing non-traditional learning spaces across the planetarium and engaging the public in informal science learning, The Great Space Adventure fostered community involvement, sparked curiosity, and made scientific concepts accessible and memorable. Whether launching rockets, flying drones, or exploring the cosmos virtually, attendees were encouraged to think like and act like scientists and engineers. This collaborative outreach effort not only supported space and aerospace education but also highlighted the versatility of the planetarium as a venue for STEM engagement. Feedback from students and community members affirmed the event’s educational value and inspirational impact. Through fun, inquiry-based experiences, this program demonstrated how informal science outreach can motivate the next generation to explore STEM pathways and dream beyond the stars.