This June, the Paros Innovation Center proudly took part in the “Teach with the Moon” workshop of the European Space Agency (ESA) – and what an adventure it was!
Held at the ESA Education Training Centre in Belgium, the workshop brought together 30 selected educators from across Europe to explore how we can use the Moon (yes, the actual Moon!) to make STEM education more exciting and inspiring for our students.
Our Academic Director, Dimitris Papanagiotakis, spent two intense and inspiring days learning directly from ESA scientists and education experts. Some of the amazing things we explored included:
🌕 Fascinating insights into the Moon’s environment and what it would take to live there
🛰️ How space agencies use 3D printing to build sustainable bases on the lunar surface
🎮 Using Tinkercad, Codeblocks, and VR/AR to bring space design and technology into the classroom
🧪 Experiments on how water can be used to produce oxygen and fuel in space
📜 Creating a fictional Moon Constitution – yes, we even played space lawmakers!
🚀 Simulating a Moon landing with the unforgettable “Eggnaut” activity
👨🏫 Learning how ESA supports schools and students through programs like Moon Camp, CanSat, and CubeSat
We also had the chance to visit ESEC-Redu, ESA’s cybersecurity and satellite operations center, and dive into the fascinating world of real-life space missions.
More than just a workshop, this was a unique opportunity to connect with other passionate educators, learn new tools, and bring back fresh ideas and energy to our little corner of the galaxy – Paros.
The big goal? To keep building an innovative STEM program here on the island that sparks curiosity, creativity, and a love for space, science, and technology. Whether it’s through robotics, coding, or hands-on missions to the Moon (in the classroom, for now!), the journey continues.
Stay tuned – we’re just getting started. 🌌