Kerbal Space Program Mod “KerbalEdu” Takes The Game Into The World Of Education

Teachers and students can now work together to learn rocket science and the joys of space travel with the official launch of KerbalEdu, an educational modification of the popular, award-winning space agency game Kerbal Space Program game which hit steam in 2013.

Squad, the developers of KSP, have partnered with TeacherGaming to launch this project. Still in early development, interested educators and students can go to www.kerbaledu.com for more information on the game, which is available on compatible Windows, Mac OS and Linux computers. Squad will continue to develop KSP, which is currently available through early access on its website as well as Steam and other popular online gaming retailers. TeacherGaming, like its prior popular release MinecraftEdu, will modify KSP to enhance its value to professors and teachers in a classroom setting.

“KSP is about making rocket science fun, which is why we didn’t need any complex algorithms to realize an educational version is a great extension,” said Squad co-owner Adrian Goya. “TeacherGaming’s experience makes them an ideal partner and we believe KerbalEdu is going to be a great tool for science teachers throughout the world to teach our next generation of rocket scientists and astronauts.”

TeacherGaming hasn’t released the first KerbalEdu mod but is planning several features specifically for teachers, including:

• Metric system and other systems for easier data comparison and integration with other school topics
• UI alterations to include analyzer and data collector tools for easier data gathering, data summarization and problem solving with ship designs
• Premade lessons that introduce or need a specific scientific method or formula to be solved, such as a rocket with too small of an engine needing more thrust
• Valuable materials outside of the actual game, but with heavy connections to it, that help educators drive home important lessons

While Squad will remain focused on making sure every new feature in Kerbal Space Program is fun, TeacherGaming has the same goal – with an educational emphasis.

“KerbalEdu is going to help players do more than just dream of the stars in their classroom. It’s going to give them the tools to learn how to reach them,” TeacherGaming CEO Santeri Koivisto said. “Squad is a great partner and a believer in our mission to use games to help educate the next generation of students.”

Schools and other educational institutions interested in KerbalEdu can purchase the educational version of Kerbal Space Program for a discounted price and schools who do decide to use the software will also have the opportunity to offer their students a discounted price on Kerbal Space Program. Of course everyone else can still get it on Steam Early Access and see if they can make something that doesn’t rip its self apart and explode, although getting it wrong can be just as fun.

Thank you Kerbal Space Program for providing us with this information.

Image courtesy of Kerbal Space Program.