Pale Blue Dot
The Pale Blue Dot Project
The Pale Blue Dot program consists of three modules and is based on UNESCO's three dimensions of global citizenship education. Each of these modules includes a variety of different models, experiments, games, and other activities.
© Freitag
Module 1: Our wonderful blue planet Earth
©NASA
Using pictures and models of Earth and the objects in the solar system, the children get an idea of how tiny and fragile our home planet is in the middle of a huge empty space in the solar system. By comparing the different planets with each other, the children discover the special characteristics of Earth with its thin atmosphere and liquid water on the surface. They realise that life is only possible here and understand the uniqueness of the Earth.
Module 2: The Earth and its origins
©NASA
Through stories and playful activities, the children learn that neither the earth nor the sun or the moon have always existed, but that they were formed together with the other planets in the solar system from a huge cloud of dust and gases. The children realise how many processes and different phenomena needed to come together in order to create a wonderful blue world from a hot, dry earth. The role of water in the origin of life and its development is emphasised and the children realise that all living creatures, and us humans in particular, are part of nature and the creation of a long evolutionary process!
Module 3: Climate Change and Climate Protection
©NASA
Through activities and experiments, the children discover what role the atmosphere plays in the Earth's temperature and its liveability. They learn how nature has created a natural greenhouse effect, but also how humans are emitting more and more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as a result of industrial activities, making the earth hotter and hotter. The children realise that our own livelihood depends on climate protection, the preservation of biodiversity and the availability of water and food. Based on their understanding of the phenomenon, the children develop their own projects as a team, which they implement together in order to effectively protect the climate.
Material box
All the materials needed for the project are gathered in a large box which are manufactured in the Caritas workshop in Fulda. At present, they can only be posted within Germany.
The order form is therefore only available in German.
Individual models, such as the planet models, are included in the box only as empty Styrofoam or wooden balls and must be painted and finished by you. Detailed instructions can be found in the document "Completing the Models."
If you want to put together the material box yourself, you will find a list of all the materials required in the document "Assemble the box".
Pedagogical concept
The Pale Blue Dot Program combines STEM subjects (math, computer science, science, and technology) with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and is closely aligned with UNESCO's approach to Global Citizenship Education (GCED) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The three learning dimensions of cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral are the foundation of the program and are to be promoted equally. In addition, several of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are addressed, including gender equality, climate protection and peace, justice, and strong institutions.
To encourage children to take an active role in learning, the program uses various participatory activities. This means that the teacher is no longer the sole provider of knowledge, but rather the children themselves contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge.
Further information on the objectives and methods of the program can be found in our educational concept