El NASAreno| Create a Mascot
Awards & Nominations
El NASAreno has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Create a Mascot
Misión M.O.L.L.E.T.E.
Summary
It is an application programmed mainly in Python language and use of Godot, as well as illustration programs to integrate the characters of the game. It is aimed at Mexican elementary school children and the resources it requires are only digital.In addition, its objective is the sharing of science to generate interest in mexican and latino kids, that they enter more and more in the scientific field. There is even the possibility of being an extension of a web browser to provide daily information regarding astronomy and NASA progress, as well as serving as a desktop or navigation assistant. Three initial mini games: Memorama, Modallete, Asteroids dodger.
How We Addressed This Challenge
In order to adress the challenge, an app was developed along with our very own mascot called "Molletin", which is aimed towards Mexican elementary school children between the ages of 8 and 10. What is intended with this is to increase the interest for astronomy as well as physics in the given demographic avoiding sluggish and boring learning with dynamic and fun activities designed specifically for kids, such as mini games and activities that will keep the targeted public entertained while fun facts are shown to them about space, astronautics, et cetera.
Furthermore, we propose to make this app as accessible as possible on the long run, bringing it as a web browser extension servind the purpose of a personal assistant with Molletin's particular charm, thus reaching farther enthusiastic audiences.
How We Developed This Project
First, we always thought a way to use the NASA’s information to bring it to the younger ones. And this competition is perfect to express our ideas to develop a good project.
Using a mascot is perfect to approach the children to teach them about science and technology. More specifically about the space and astronomy. Then, we named this mascot “Molletin”. Using “Molletin” to participate and clear different minigames was an ideal way to give interesting and funny information about NASA to the kids.
In order to create our images and designs first we draw it by hand in a notebook, then we used Photoshop and Krita to make it digital. For develop the minigames and the interfaces of the app we used the software GODOT, a great option if you are looking for a free software. Finally, Discord was our tool to exchange ideas, documents, and opinions.
In the beginning, our first problem was the design and the name of our mascot but, when we thought about the Mexican culture was very easy to name it. Then, GODOT is an friendly software, but you need some programming knowledge before using it so, we did a little research about it. In the final our great (and maybe our first) achievement was when we finish our first minigame and some screens of the game. Seeing together all our designs was really beautiful and emotional. If we have to say our biggest problem it must be time, obviously with more time our project could be better.
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
NASA's open data was used within this project to boost our activities with photographs and information gained with the aid of certain satellites and probes collected along the years by NASA engineers.
Various pictures and papers were used in
the memorama such the ones from 1969 of the apollo 11 launch and more recent
ones, from last summer of the SpaceX first manned mission, whereas in the other two minigames, we needed information about our solar system and outer planets unreachable by simple humans, in addition to depictions and visual data of spacesuits worn by most interesting and determined astronauts like ACES and those involved in the space shuttle programme and the apollos.
All in all, our project was heavily influenced by this data which served as an essential tool on our work and endeavours