Educational Potential
In Kerbal Space Program, take charge of the space program for the alien race known as the Kerbals. You have access to an array of parts to assemble fully-functional spacecraft that flies (or doesn’t) based on realistic aerodynamic and orbital physics. Launch your Kerbal crew into orbit and beyond (while keeping them alive) to explore moons and planets in the Kerbol solar system, constructing bases and space stations to expand the reach of your expedition.

Kerbal Space Program features three gameplay modes. In Science Mode, perform space experiments to unlock new technology and advance the knowledge of Kerbalkind. In Career Mode, oversee every aspect of the space program, including construction, strategy, funding, upgrades, and more. In Sandbox, you are free to build any spacecraft you can think of, with all parts and technology in the game.

This product is used to generate interest in subjects of Natural Science, Physics, Math and Technology. Player must to construct a fully furnished and functional spaceport called the Kerbal Space Center (KSC) on their planet Kerbin. Players can create rockets, aircraft, spaceplanes, rovers, and other craft from a provided set of components. The main point of strength is related with created platform that was used by educators to increase creativity and collaboration in a virtual classroom. In fact, Kerbel Space Program was developed in concert with NASA. It is possible to construct problem-based scenarios that require students to use a wide range of knowledge and concepts to solve them, before progressing.

Players are provided a wide range of communication pathways in a gaming environment, allowing them to provide peer feedback and seek support from anyone in the game. It is important to point out that game-based learning does not supersede the role of the teacher. It is not a question of ‘set and forget’. Several studies have shown that progress is enhanced when worked examples and teacher support are available to students (Chen, Wong & Wang, 2014; Dominguez et al., 2013).

Learning Object / Suggested activities with students
Future teacher may use this video game during Physics and Technology lessons as well as Math, Natural Science and ICT lessons. An example of possible learning object might be related with a task to play this video game and make a research as well as develop new technologies to extract valuable information and resources from all over the solar system, and much more. All this gathered information could be provided and represented in front of the class. Future students should explain master real-world physics and show their engineering skills and their understanding of STEM concepts.

Skills and competences acquired
This video game improves a lot of soft skills and especially problem solving and innovation skills. By playing this video game future students unleashe creativity with an iterative design approach to learning from mistakes. A perfect fit for physics and math curriculums in higher levels. Can also be used for any age group to demonstrate physics concepts and motivate students to engineer creative solutions through experimentation.