Software and video games designed for educational contexts provide interactive learning opportunities that help students better understand complex concepts. This relates to QUETZAL-2’s mission in how they can be used to promote STEM education in Guatemala. Therefore, an example Python program has been developed, along with an external guide, for students in grades 10-12. This program allows students to import satellite data, which they can obtain from their school’s LoRa antenna or from the TinyGS website, and plot it as graphs. Students are encouraged to share any new graphs or functionality they create with the QUETZAL-2 team, whether from QUETZAL-2 data or from data from other satellites on TinyGS. Students who use this program and its guide will learn and apply data science, statistics, programming, and even English.

A game simulation representing the satellite’s functionality has also been developed, focusing on two main aspects of the On Board Computer (OBC): its Real-Time Operating System and its operating modes. This game aims to illustrate otherwise complicated concepts of satellite computers to students in 5th grade and older. Students will be able to understand QUETZAL-2’s functionality intuitively, since they can send commands to their fictional satellite, activating the corresponding operation modes.

These tools will be implemented during QUETZAL-2 outreach workshops; their reach will be measured by the number of schools visited and audience size. It is proposed to conduct an initial set of workshops at 2-3 schools using these two activities, iterating based on student survey feedback. Students will take a diagnostic quiz on satellite computers before and after playing the simulation game and listening to an explanation of its concepts. After the programs have been refined, they’ll be added to the project’s website, allowing students and teachers to utilize them freely.