Star Sailors is a dynamic, educational card game developed by the interdisciplinary Planet Hoppers project at Cardiff University. Created as part of an innovative effort to gamify space science education, this game is designed to engage children aged 8–14 through interactive play. It has proven to be an effective and inclusive tool for more broadly sparking interest in astronomy, science careers, and STEM learning.
Why Educators Should Use Star Sailors
CURRICULUM-ENRICHING AND ACCESSIBLE
Developed in collaboration with teachers and education specialists, Star Sailors aligns with the Curriculum for Wales and supports cross-curricular teaching, especially in science, numeracy, and literacy. It is a low-cost, low-preparation classroom tool ideal for lessons, STEM clubs, and outreach sessions.
PROMOTES INCLUSION AND REPRESENTATION
The game highlights a diverse range of astronauts, purposefully designed to reflect a broad spectrum of ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds, helping to ensure students from underrepresented communities in STEM see themselves in science roles directly addressing equity and inclusion priorities.
DEVELOPED BY EXPERTS
Created by a team including astrophysicists, social scientists, experienced teachers, and science communication professionals. Backed by institutions such as the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), and Cardiff University.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT BACKED BY RESEARCH
In trials involving over 200 pupils, more than 85% found the game engaging and informative.
Teachers consistently reported that it was a “fantastic game, very informative”
and “a great start to lessons,” showing its effectiveness as a lesson hook.
SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS
Classroom-ready resources, including lesson plans, activity sheets, and guidance, are co-developed with educators to ensure ease of use and effectiveness. These are available in TEACHING RESOURCES and cover standalone and integrated lesson formats.
HOW STAR SAILORS WORKS
Each card in Star Sailors features:
Real astronauts.
Key stats, see the example, for use in gameplay.
Rich contextual information to stimulate follow-up discussions or activities.
It’s not just a game; each card can serve as a springboard for extended classroom tasks like:
Career research projects.
Role-playing debates about space exploration.
STEM-literacy integration through character storytelling.
BROADER IMPACT
Star Sailors is part of a larger initiative to make astronomy and planetary science accessible to all young people. It aligns with the STFC’s Wonder Initiative and increases STEM aspirations at GCSE and A-level.
READY TO LAUNCH CURIOSITY IN YOUR CLASSROOM?
Star Sailors is more than a game; it’s a gateway into science learning that’s fun, inclusive, and impactful. Let your pupils discover the universe, one card at a time.