SPACE EXPLORERS MISSION CONTROL
Every great adventure begins here.
Explore the Solar System through interactive missions, space science activities, NASA resources, educational games, and challenges created for curious learners.
Choose your next destination and begin exploring!
📡 Incoming Transmission...
Mission Commander Bettina to all Explorers...
Mission Control is now online.
Our scanners have detected incredible destinations across the Solar System. Your mission is to explore new worlds, uncover amazing discoveries, and complete challenges along the way.
Every great explorer begins with curiosity. Are you ready?
Choose your destination below.
Our Solar System
Our Cosmic Neighborhood
Before exploring each mission, take a look at the incredible Solar System we call home.
The Sun sits at the center, providing the light and energy that make life on Earth possible. Around it travels eight unique planets, along with dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and countless smaller objects. Each world has its own story, and every mission will help you discover one piece of this amazing cosmic puzzle.
⭐ Why It Matters
Understanding the Solar System helps us see how Earth fits into a much larger universe. Scientists study our neighboring worlds to learn how planets form, search for signs of life, and prepare for future space exploration.
🚀 Explorer Challenge
Can you discover:
- ☀️ Which object is at the center of our Solar System?
- 🪐 Which planets are rocky, and which are giants?
- 🌎 Why is Earth the perfect place for life?
- ☄️ What other objects travel around the Sun besides planets?
Choose Your Mission
Where Will You Explore Next?
Every world in our Solar System has a story to tell. Visit the blazing Sun, rocky planets, giant gas worlds, icy giants, and distant dwarf planets as you uncover amazing facts and complete new Space Explorer missions.
Click a mission card below to begin your next adventure!
Mission Library
Knowledge Powers Every Mission
Mission Control has gathered a growing collection of resources to help every Space Explorer succeed. Dive into recommended books, watch incredible space videos, explore NASA discoveries, and continue learning beyond each mission.
Choose a resource below and keep exploring!
Explorer Arcade
Learn Through Play
Every mission doesn't happen in the classroom! Sharpen your Space Explorer skills with interactive games designed to make learning even more fun.
Whether you're reviewing what you've learned or preparing for your next adventure, the Explorer Arcade is always open.
Choose a game below and continue your mission!
No account required
FREE Account required
No account required
Explorer Art Challenge
Do you love drawing, painting, and imagining new worlds?
🚀 The Art Challenge:
Mission Control is challenging all Space Explorers to think about and draw a space-related situation each month. Each month, we'll select a few drawings to be featured here... at Mission Control!
Try drawing...
- ☀️ Our Sun or Solar System
- 🚀 A brand-new spacecraft
- 🪐 A planet you've invented
- 👽 What you think life might look like on another world
- 🌙 A Moon base in the future
- ☄️ A comet flying through the Solar System
- 🌌 Your favorite constellation
- ⭐ A brand-new star
- 🔴 What you might find on Mars
For more information on the challenge and how to submit, see the Challenge FAQ section below.
Here's what you'll need:
- Paper
- Art supplies (pencils, markers, crayons, paints – whatever you like to use)
- A grownup helper with a camera or scanner and access to email
This Month's Art Selections
Monthly Missions
New Adventures Are Always on the Horizon
The universe is full of exciting discoveries, and Mission Control is preparing new monthly challenges to help you keep exploring. From STEM activities and creative projects to space events and observation challenges, there will always be something new to discover.
⭐ Coming Soon!
Parent Mission Briefing
Mission Control is continually preparing new adventures for curious explorers, so don't forget to bookmark this page.
Also, join our Mission Updates to receive occasional emails whenever a new mission, printable, Kahoot, or learning activity is ready for launch.
We'll also share special resources, free downloads, and exciting discoveries from the Space Explorers series.
Art Challenge FAQs
Once you've gotten your ideas on the page, have a grownup take a clear photo or scan of the drawing and email (with the subject Space Art Challenge) the following to hello@teachermrsbettina.com: picture of drawing, first name of artist, age of artist
Art work must be appropriate and done by a minor (under 18 or still in high school). No AI submissions will be shared. Art might be on the Mission Control page for various amounts of time and can be featured more than once. There is no compensation for the artwork.
By submitting artwork YOU hereby grant Mrs. Bettina and the website www.teachermrsbettina.com right to make, use, create derivative works and/or display: photos of my child and/or artwork (in any media, including drawings, photos, music and video creations) created by my Child and submitted to Mrs. Bettina in any manner or form, and for any lawful purpose at any time. I also grant Mrs. Bettina to use my Child's name associated with such photos of my Child or with his/her artwork. I also understand that any artwork submitted by my Child to Mrs. Bettina for the Project may be reproduced or displayed publicly at her discretion. I am fully aware and agree that such use of my Child's image or artwork and name may include posting on publicly available internet sites, including www.teachermrsbettina.com and other publicly viewable social media sites. I waive any right that I may have to review or approve of any finished products, or the uses to which such products may be applied. I release and discharge Mrs. Bettina, sponsors, and subcontractors from any liability to me by virtue of any representation that may occur in the creation, editing or use of said photos or artwork.