Space for Space (Spazio allo Spazio)

Space for Space (Spazio alio Spazio) is an educational project involving students aged 5 to 18 at the Italian school Istituto Comprensivo Villasanta, active since 2010. This project was launched by a group of teachers who believe that Space exploration and Sky observation can be an effective way to convey the idea that the extraordinary experience of the astronaut, who on the ISS must acquire new skills and be able to thrive in a challenging and unpredictable context, is just like a disabled person's routine in daily life. Space exploration, including Astronomy and Astronautics, is used to promote values of sustamabihty, equity and diversity, allowing the students to become acquainted with the world of astronauts while facing topics related to integration and disability. As astronauts experience the limits of gravity and disability m Space, students can face their limits, through adapted physical activity and authentic tasks. addressmg issues related to the integration and insertion of people with different skills in school and society. This is the starting point for lessons, cultural exchanges, laboratonal and teamwork experiences through an interdisciplinary and multilingual approach. Lectures and meetings with experts from different fields promote the development of scientific, technological and humamstic skills. Students are guided in their career orientation, encouraged to recogmze personal aptitudes and to think about their future. With onlme learning such as video conferencing, the project brings the world of research into the classroom and connects students into one space, providing a stimulating learning experience where collaboration grows from the local to the planetary level. This helps students to understand how they can contribute to the building of the future as responsible global citizens, aware of the reality in which they live and the impact that they can produce. Space for Space allows the school to open to the world around it. In contact with other realities and contexts, it offers stimulating opportunities, that care about the individuality of each person, and value Science as the link to improve human relationships and commitment. Copyright ©2024 by the International Aeronautical Federation (IAF). All rights reserved.