Aldrin Family Foundation and Private Division partner to bring 3D experience to space education learning
Popular Kerbal Space Program EDU video game to expand into AFF’s Giant Moon and Mars Maps program
AUSTIN, Texas – The Aldrin Family Foundation (AFF) today announced a partnership with Private Division, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., to integrate Private Division’s popular video game, Kerbal Space Program EDU (KSP EDU), into AFF’s signature Giant Moon Map™ and Giant Mars Map™ program. Students in grades 5-12 can now use the online program and large floor-sized maps to learn about space while building critical skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) in a fun and sophisticated, three-dimensional experience.
“When you approach learning from a story-based perspective, versus simply giving students a problem to solve, their depth of understanding skyrockets,” said AFF President Dr. Andy Aldrin. “Private Division and its immersive KSP EDU offer exciting, fun narratives where complex concepts can be simplified, and students boost their chances for lifelong retention. This partnership is a perfect addition to our Giant Moon and Mars Map program and connects the full Aldrin Family Foundation story.”
In KSP EDU, players design and fly rockets, while helping friendly aliens (the Kerbals) explore space around their home planet. Through the AFF partnership, students will work in groups to help expand the Kerbals’ adventures to the Moon and Mars. Participating schools receive the following:
- A gaming PC with a custom keyboard, flight stick and 3D mouse for moving with six degrees of freedom
- Five project-based learning activities for students to work in teams to strengthen communication/collaboration skills, understand spacecraft systems design, explore orbital mechanics and design a settlement on the Moon or a research station on Mars
All activities are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and include interdisciplinary core ideas including science, physics, chemistry and biology. Every lesson incorporates science and engineering practices. AFF can also customize activities to further align to specific state standards and local curriculum guides.
“For years, Kerbal Space Program EDU has given players a fun-filled adventure that provokes their imagination and encourages interest in areas such as spacecraft design, orbital mechanics and other systems related to space exploration,” said Michael Cook, Studio Director of Intercept Games at Private Division. “The Aldrin Family Foundation has such an outstanding mission and we’re excited for even more people to experience this immersive opportunity in the future.”
School districts that wish to own or already own a Giant Moon or Mars Map can purchase KSP EDU extension to integrate into their AFF lesson plans. For more information on pricing, contact our Director of Education Partnerships Dr. Mark Wagner at [email protected].
About the Aldrin Family Foundation
The Aldrin Family Foundation strives to cultivate the next generation of space leaders, entrepreneurs and explorers who will extend human habitation beyond the Earth to the Moon and Mars. The Foundation’s STEAM-based educational tools, educational activities and programs span from a child’s first classroom experience through graduate school and professional programs. This vertical pathway unites explorers at all levels to learn from each other’s vision for space, ultimately creating the first generation of Martians.
About Private Division
Private Division is a developer-focused publisher from Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., (NASDAQ: TTWO), that partners with the finest creative talent in the video game industry, empowering studios to develop the games that they are passionate about creating, while providing the support that they need to make their titles critically and commercially successful on a global scale. The Label publishes the Kerbal Space Program franchise, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey from Panache Digital Games, The Outer Worlds from Obsidian Entertainment, OlliOlli World and Rollerdrome from Roll7, After Us from Piccolo Studio, Penny’s Big Breakaway from Evening Star and more. Private Division has future unannounced projects in development with Moon Studios, Yellow Brick Games, Wētā Workshop, Game Freak and other esteemed independent developers. The Label publishes the physical retail edition of Hades from Supergiant Games on PlayStation® and Xbox consoles. Private Division continues to build its internal studio capacity, with Roll7 and Intercept Games as internal developers for the Label. Private Division is headquartered in New York City with offices in Seattle, Las Vegas and Munich. For more information, please visit www.privatedivision.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Griffin Communications Group (representing AFF)
Abbigale Martin; [email protected]