The Space Education Center released two game-type digital learning materials in 2023. The subjects of these materials were the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission and the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), both ongoing projects at JAXA. We spoke with TSUKAWAKI Kota and MARUOKA Shingo, who were involved in the development and release of these educational materials that can be used on PCs and tablet devices.

“The COVID-19 pandemic triggered greater digitization at educational venues, and public elementary and junior high schools have been supplied with one PC or tablet device per student. We wanted to create educational materials that would allow students to learn using these devices, so we started developing game-type educational materials,” said Tsukawaki, who was involved in the development of the MMX game, explaining its features and aims.

“One of the main features of this educational tool is that you can learn about space through games. By completing missions in the game, you can simulate how space exploration is conducted. Our goal was to create teaching materials where students find themselves learning about space while they are engrossed in the game.”

MMX and SLIM were chosen as subjects because both missions are scheduled for launch in FY2023-24 (*SLIM was launched on September 7, 2023) and are just entering the climax of their development.

“We had project members from MMX and SLIM join our team to develop the game, and we made sure that the content lined up with the actual mission. I hope this reality-based game will give many children the opportunity to discover what kind of project it is.”

Maruoka, charged with expanding the use of game-type teaching materials, is considering a variety of approaches for the future. “When we have children try out the game-type teaching materials at JAXA events and elsewhere, they do so with a big smile on their faces. We would like to extend the availability of this teaching tool, which provides children with an exciting way to learn about space exploration. We are hoping to promote its use in schools, science museums, and exhibitions.”

Digital learning materials that enable students to learn anytime and anywhere as long as they have Internet access and a device is an approach that the duo say they want to double down on. “We are already developing new game-type and video learning materials, so please look forward to seeing what kind of digital learning materials will appear in future.”

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