I liked the Esa Spacecraft assemble and the Milky Way Match games for the younger classes. They had a short activity with quick results, perfect for the attention span of younger children. They were also great for giving bitesize information while the children are completing an activity. They also gave an opportunity to practice visual and motor skills for junior classes. Follow up activity locating the satellites on the Orbitrack app could be explored. Milky Way match and the Space Memory Game are perfect for junior infant classes.
I have to admit that I found it difficult to control the Paxi spacecraft in the Space Cleanup and the Solar System Explorer games and died repeatedly! I am sure the children would be far better at it. The Catch the Craft game was easier to control and I think they would enjoy the destructive side of it. It requires concentration and impulse control which are important skills for children to develop.
Overall I liked the Esa games site as it allows for children of varying abilities to choose and work at their own level and learn about space in an indirect and engaging way. Even if they all don’t understand the language or names they are becoming familiar with them.
Unawe.org was good for older classes perhaps. Catchy titles and activities like Your Birthday on another Planet. I really liked the activities on Marvin and Milo and will try them when I have an older class.