LEGO Education partners with NASA to launch STEAM learning series ahead of the Artemis I mission

LEGO Education has detailed a new collaboration with NASA to launch a free digital STEAM learning series this September, designed to spark curiosity and engagement in STEAM through the upcoming Artemis I mission.

Called Build to Launch: A STEAM Exploration Series, the 10-week series includes interactive episodes and open-ended prompts grouped into three learning themes aligned with the mission: Getting to Space, Testing and Transport, and Working in Space.

Teachers will be able to implement this standards-based series for grades K-12 into their curriculum. From astronauts to engineers and flight controllers, each interactive and hands-on lesson will highlight and explain careers at NASA to inspire students to see themselves in these roles.

Students will then work together to solve problems like the NASA teams they’re learning about. Throughout the series, students will also follow along and interact with the LEGO Space Team, featuring LEGO minifigures as members of the flight and ground crews involved in a typical space mission.

Esben Stærk, president of LEGO Education, said: “We are at a pivotal moment in education, and to rethink how students learn we must provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. The LEGO Education and Artemis lesson series creates joyful learning moments and brings STEAM learning to life through the real-world application of space exploration – a topic that evokes curiosity and awe in students of all ages and abilities.”

Students and teachers will be able to tune into student press conferences hosted on the LEGO Education YouTube channel by LEGO Education SPIKE Prime minifigures Kate and Kyle as they prepare for the mission as part of the Space Team. Each episode will set up the theme of the next module, and students will be encouraged to submit questions ahead of time for Kate and Kyle and their NASA counterparts to answer.

The lessons were developed in collaboration with NASA to excite teachers and students about STEAM learning and Artemis I, the first in a series of increasingly complex lunar missions that will enable human exploration on and around the Moon where NASA will prepare for eventual human exploration of Mars.

During the flight, the uncrewed spacecraft will launch on the most powerful rocket in the world and fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown.

As students progress through each learning module inspired by this mission, they will experience some of the important jobs leading up to launch which will test their skills like problem solving and collaboration. Students will work hands-on designing and prototyping, iteratively testing, and working together to build and assemble parts much like the stacking of the mission’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

“Every NASA mission requires people from a wide range of STEM careers, skills, backgrounds, and interests. Today’s students are the Artemis Generation – learning about space and the Artemis I mission through hands-on activities will introduce them to the many careers they can pursue. We look forward to their contributions to push the frontiers of scientific research and expand our understanding of the universe,” said Mike Kincaid, Associate Administrator of the Office of STEM Engagement.

The digital learning series will be made available online for free and can easily be adapted for non-tech use with materials available in classrooms everywhere or with LEGO Education sets.

Teachers and parents are invited to sign up to receive more information at LEGOeducation.com/BuildtoLaunch and be notified when the Teacher Resource Guide becomes available before the full experience launches in September 2021.

LEGO and NASA partner on Space Shuttle Discovery set launch, with help from Astronaut Dr Kathy Sullivan

The LEGO Group has partnered with NASA to launch its new LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set, a new science-focused construction set aimed at the adult LEGO fan audience.

The new set was officially revealed this week by the former NASA Astronaut, Dr Kathy Sullivan, who was part of the original NASA STS-31 mission over 30 years ago. This was the mission that launched the Hubble Telescope, the telescope that has gone on to capture images of the universe and shape our understanding of space.

To celebrate the launch of the new LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery, the LEGO Group spoke to Dr. Kathy Sullivan about her experience onboard the original NASA STS-31 mission and how the real-life space shuttle compares to the LEGO model’s detailed build of the spacecraft and famous Hubble Space Telescope.

Filmed at COSI (Center of Science and Industry), the interview is now available on lego.com/gobeyond, and sees Dr. Kathy Sullivan detail the incredible mission, which launched the Hubble Space Telescope into the cosmos – enabling NASA, and scientists around the world, to explore more of the universe than ever before.

The interview also delved into Dr. Sullivan’s thoughts on encouraging more young people into STEM careers and the future of space exploration.

The new LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is a complex 2,354 piece build that pays homage to this pioneering moment in space history and marks the 40th anniversary since the first Space Shuttle flight on 12th of April 1981.

Aimed at adult builders, the set features the Discovery orbiter with functional landing gear, payload bay doors, elevons and rudder; and the Hubble Space Telescope, which can either be folded and contained within the payload bay or expanded with solar array and displayed separately.

Both also come with a display plaque which features key data from the mission.

Dr. Kathy Sullivan said: “I was thrilled to see the space shuttle in LEGO form, and was very impressed by the amount of intricate detail they have managed to recreate from the module where we used to sleep and eat through to what we called the “milk stalls” on the telescope.

“Looking at the model, it was great to reminisce about my experiences in space launching the telescope for the first time. Hubble is definitely the highlight of my career. This LEGO model is a great way for LEGO builders and space fans alike to get excited about space travel and learn more about the famous mission in a fun and engaging way.”

Marking the passing of 30 years since the original mission, LEGO has delved into people’s passion for space to uncover what they think of exploration. 72 per cent of those asked believe space exploration is ‘essential’. 24 per cent of them believe that we will find new planets, and 13 per cent think we will find alien life in the next 30 years.

71 per cent of people believe there is life on other planets, while over half think there will be space tourism in the next 30 years.

Speaking with LEGO, Dr Kathy Sullivan suggested that “the biggest barriers to space tourism in the next 30 years is the safety and costs elements, if we can break through these the general public really could take a trip to space in the future.”

As part of the wider LEGO Go beyond campaign, that kicks off with this product launch, space and LEGO fans alike can head to lego.com/gobeyond to watch the interview and find out more about the original mission, discover more about the LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set and access some great online space learning tools from LEGO Education.

LEGO® NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is on sale 1st April from LEGO.com and LEGO Retail stores.

LEGO and NASA partner on Space Shuttle Discovery set launch, with help from Astronaut Dr Kathy Sullivan

The LEGO Group has partnered with NASA to launch its new LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set, a new science-focused construction set aimed at the adult LEGO fan audience.

The new set was officially revealed this week by the former NASA Astronaut, Dr Kathy Sullivan, who was part of the original NASA STS-31 mission over 30 years ago. This was the mission that launched the Hubble Telescope, the telescope that has gone on to capture images of the universe and shape our understanding of space.

To celebrate the launch of the new LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery, the LEGO Group spoke to Dr. Kathy Sullivan about her experience onboard the original NASA STS-31 mission and how the real-life space shuttle compares to the LEGO model’s detailed build of the spacecraft and famous Hubble Space Telescope.

Filmed at COSI (Center of Science and Industry), the interview is now available on lego.com/gobeyond, and sees Dr. Kathy Sullivan detail the incredible mission, which launched the Hubble Space Telescope into the cosmos – enabling NASA, and scientists around the world, to explore more of the universe than ever before.

The interview also delved into Dr. Sullivan’s thoughts on encouraging more young people into STEM careers and the future of space exploration.

The new LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is a complex 2,354 piece build that pays homage to this pioneering moment in space history and marks the 40th anniversary since the first Space Shuttle flight on 12th of April 1981.

Aimed at adult builders, the set features the Discovery orbiter with functional landing gear, payload bay doors, elevons and rudder; and the Hubble Space Telescope, which can either be folded and contained within the payload bay or expanded with solar array and displayed separately.

Both also come with a display plaque which features key data from the mission.

Dr. Kathy Sullivan said: “I was thrilled to see the space shuttle in LEGO form, and was very impressed by the amount of intricate detail they have managed to recreate from the module where we used to sleep and eat through to what we called the “milk stalls” on the telescope.

“Looking at the model, it was great to reminisce about my experiences in space launching the telescope for the first time. Hubble is definitely the highlight of my career. This LEGO model is a great way for LEGO builders and space fans alike to get excited about space travel and learn more about the famous mission in a fun and engaging way.”

Marking the passing of 30 years since the original mission, LEGO has delved into people’s passion for space to uncover what they think of exploration. 72 per cent of those asked believe space exploration is ‘essential’. 24 per cent of them believe that we will find new planets, and 13 per cent think we will find alien life in the next 30 years.

71 per cent of people believe there is life on other planets, while over half think there will be space tourism in the next 30 years.

Speaking with LEGO, Dr Kathy Sullivan suggested that “the biggest barriers to space tourism in the next 30 years is the safety and costs elements, if we can break through these the general public really could take a trip to space in the future.”

As part of the wider LEGO Go beyond campaign, that kicks off with this product launch, space and LEGO fans alike can head to lego.com/gobeyond to watch the interview and find out more about the original mission, discover more about the LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set and access some great online space learning tools from LEGO Education.

LEGO® NASA Space Shuttle Discovery is on sale 1st April from LEGO.com and LEGO Retail stores.

Industry trio forge new art, culture, and science focused business ARTiSTORY

Licensing industry specialists Dave Collins, Tamara Dixon, and Natasha Dyson have united their expertise and combined experience to launch the new licensing business venture ARTiSTORY, a new unit focused on developing content in the art, culture, and science sectors.

ARTiSTORY will aim to translate objects or artistic, cultural and scientific significance into usable assets for the consumers of today, doing so through its three key areas of business: IP asset development, IP licensing, and content development.

The founder trio are each experts in their respective fields and the new venture will see Collins take on the role of co-founder and commercial director, Dixon as co-founder and creative director, and Dyson as co-founder and licensing director.

By tapping into treasured collections at world’s top museums and heritage institutions, ARTiSTORY creates annually refreshed trends, themes and original design assets including illustrations, prints & patterns, which in turn, can be applied onto product and packaging design.  

ARTiSTORY licenses these design assets to consumer brands and retailers and assist them to introduce compelling products, engage shoppers via digital marketing and offer immersive shopping experiences. Each product comes with a unique story that consumer brands and retailers can attract more shoppers by leveraging the power of storytelling.  

“Storytelling is central to human existence. That it’s common to every known culture and research shows that messages delivered as stories can be up to 22 times more memorable than just facts. Storytelling is the future of marketing and there are no better ingredients than art and culture which transcend time and geographic barriers,” read a statement from the new business.    

“By working with ARTiSTORY, consumer brands, manufacturers and retailers will acquire new customers more effectively, both through their online and offline stores, turning shoppers into your loyal fans while providing them with unique shopping experience.”

The team at ARTiSTORY are pioneers in art and culture IP licensing with track records working with the Natural History Museum, British Museum, the MET, V&A and many world’s top retailers and consumer brands such as Uniqlo, Amazon, Max Factors and Nestle etc.  

“We are constantly looking to partner with new IP in the art, culture and science sector. We serve as a creative design studio, act as a joint licensor and roll out design led licensing programmes across Europe and North America,” said ARTiSTORY.  

ARTiSTORY will work from a design led studio in London and a sales office in Barcelona.

Contact: Natasha Dyson on natasha@artistorybrands.net +44 7855 858711.

www.artistroybrands.net

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh celebrates 350th anniversary with new licensing programme

The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh is celebrating its 350th anniversary this year with the unveiling of two new licensing partners in Caithness Glass and Flame Tree Publishing.

RBGE was established in 1670 as a physic garden near the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The purpose of the garden was to supply fresh plants for medical prescriptions and to help teach medical botany to students. Almost 20 years later, in 1699, it received a royal warrant.

Over the years many intrepid botanists introduced exotic plants from all over the world and innovative techniques into the gardens. Moving to its present site in Inverleith in 1823, RGBE  is one of the world’s leading botanical gardens and today delivers world-leading plant science and conservation programmes and cares for large archives of botanical art as well four gardens in Scotland.

In this anniversary year, RGBE is hosting a programme of exhibitions and events, and has kickstarted an ambitious plan to rebuild its existing glasshouses and create a new one under its Edingburgh Biomes project – one which aims to secure the Garden’s work for future generations.

RGBE’s licensing programme is focused on using its archive and environmental message to work with companies that reflect its brand values. Royalties from products sold help to directly fund and support the work RGBE does to develop its collections to maximise their value as a research, education, conservation and heritage resource.

Inspired by the 350th anniversary, Caithness Glass will produce a range of collectable artglass  featuring a ‘Water lily – Nymphaea’, ‘Blue Poppy – Meconopsis’ ‘Rhodoendron Ferrugineum’ and ‘Ferns’. 

All of these plants have a special connection to the gardens.

Caithness Glass was founded in 1961 and is now a world leading producer of  paperweights and artglass. Each piece is a unique work of art and hand crafted to the highest standards by skilled makers.

Jacqueline McCulloch, area sales manager of Caithness Glass, said: “Caithness is delighted to be working with RGBE in its anniversary year. The first in a series of planned items launched at Spring Fair were received very well with many orders taken – we are confident that this will be an excellent collaboration for years to come.”

Meanwhile, Flame Tree Publishing works with many prestigious museums and galleries creating published content under license including books calendars and greetings cards. For its RGBE 2021 calendar – which is on sale now – Flame Tree is publishing botanical imagery by the victorian artist Charlotte Cowan, discovered in the RGBE archives.

Frances Bodiam, managing director of Flame Tree Publishing, said:Looking through the archives at the RGBE was a revelation and we were thrilled to unearth the work of Charlotte Cowan. There are many other wonderful images to discover and we look forward to working with RGBE in the future.”

Helena Lawrence, head of retail and brand licensing at RGBE, added: “In our anniversary year, signing these two licenses emphasises how much our brand values resonate with licensees. We are very pleased to be working with Caithness and Flame Tree and also to launch our new style guide which will show how our wonderful collections can inspire new product.

“Further licenses are already in the pipeline which will showcase our collections.”