Planet Voyagers
Planet Voyagers
2-5 players • 30 min • 8 & up
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Three, two, one blast off! Journey through space visiting our planets and learning amazing facts about our solar system. The race begins at the Sun and each player chooses which cards to play from their hand to either advance their rocket or research other planets to gain more points. The first player to reach Neptune or earn 12 points wins the game, so chart your course to be the "top" Planet Voyager.
Skills Focus: Astronomy, Strategy
Game Includes
Game Includes
- 5 Rocket Pawns
- 5 Data Boards
- 9 Disks (1 Sun and 8 Planets)
- 8 Research Tokens
- 106 Card
- 1 Fun Facts Poster
- 1 Rules Booklet
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How to Play
Educational Standards
Core Standard*: Math & STEM
Reading
- Reading: Informational Text
- Key Ideas & Details Grade Levels 3rd, 4th
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas Grade Levels 3rd, 4th
- Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity Grade Levels 3rd, 4th
- Reading: Foundation Skills
- Phonics and Word recognition. Grade Levels 3rd, 4th
- Speaking & Listening
- Comprehension and Collaboration Grade Level 5th
- Language
- Conventions of Standard English Grade Level 5th
- Knowledge of Language Grade Level 4th
- Vocabulary Acquisition and Use Grade Levels 3rd
Science
- Inquiry
- Conducting Investigations Grade Level 3rd
- Earth and Space Science
- Earth in Space Grade Levels 4th, 5th
Skills
Determine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
On each turn, players look at their five cards and the game area to decide which of their cards to enter into the round. Then, they decide what action to take depending when they can play their card.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Planet Voyagers requires children to assess the position and scores of other players in contrast to their own in order to determine which card to play on a turn.
If children are having difficulty picking a card to play, ask questions that can help direct their reasoning such as "how would playing a card benefit you while also blocking someone else?", or "can you play a card now that will allow you to play a better card next turn?"
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Planet Voyagers requires children to assess the position and scores of other players in contrast to their own in order to determine which card to play on a turn.
If children are having difficulty picking a card to play, ask questions that can help direct their reasoning such as "how would playing a card benefit you while also blocking someone else?", or "can you play a card now that will allow you to play a better card next turn?"
Compare
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players compare the position and scores of other players to their own on each turn, while comparing the information on their cards with planets' information.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Because comparing is directly associated with 'determining' when playing Planet Voyagers, parents can assist in the same way by asking questions such as "how would playing a card benefit you while also blocking someone else?", or "can you play a card now that will allow you to play a better card next turn?"
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Because comparing is directly associated with 'determining' when playing Planet Voyagers, educators can assist in the same way by asking questions such as "how would playing a card benefit you while also blocking someone else?", or "can you play a card now that will allow you to play a better card next turn?"
Predict
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
As the game proceeds, players may be able to predict what others may do on a turn as strategies become clearer. However, the game also has elements of chance based on certain cards, which makes predicting more difficult.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Because Planet Voyagers involves so much decision making, including predicting what others will do, it may help to encourage children to "Wait. Look. Think." This will help them spend time enough time considering options and implications of different possible decisions.
This will also help with impulsivity and planning. Using such verbal cues can give children a model for approaching future play as well as complex life choices.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Because Planet Voyagers involves so much decision making, including predicting what others will do, it may help to encourage children to "Wait. Look. Think." This will help them spend time enough time considering options and implications of different possible decisions.
This will also help with impulsivity and planning. Using such verbal cues can give children a model for approaching future play as well as complex life choices.
Plan
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Planet Voyagers allows players to win by getting to Neptune or scoring 12 points first. Thus, players may develop different plans for playing cards in order to pursue their preferred goal, or modify plans if needed based on the actions of other players.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Parents can encourage children to take their time to think through all the options prior to deciding what moves to make. Also suggest that they watch how other players are collecting Research Tokens, getting closer to Neptune and otherwise executing their strategies.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Planning is an important skill for developing strategic thinking and reaching a goal. Planning is also essential to developing and executing strategies, as well as managing life's activities from going to school to cleaning up your room.
In Planet Voyagers, the planning includes selecting and playing cards to pursue a chosen goal, executing different strategies and adapting to the actions of others.
Educators can encourage children to take their time to think through all the options prior to deciding what moves to make. Also suggest that they watch how other players plan their approach and use the various options in the game.
Practice
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Players practice basic math when playing certain cards.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special parent support is required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
No special learning implications or support is required.
Solve
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
Planet Voyagers is primarily a game where players problem-solve by using logic and reasoning, while also adapting to the moves, actions and elements of chance in the game.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
Discuss different goals and strategies prior to starting the game and encourage the child to select one. Play the game and discuss. Then, play again with the child trying a different strategy. Discuss again and compare the advantages and disadvantages. Once children understand different strategies, they can shift and adapt strategies within a game.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
Discuss different strategies prior to starting the game and encourage the child to select one. Play the game and discuss. Then, play again with the child trying a different strategy. Discuss again and compare the advantages and disadvantages. Once children understand different strategies, they can shift and adapt strategies within a game.
Encourage children to remain flexible in their approach to the game. It is difficult to predict what opponents will do. Thus, it is important to adapt based on prior moves. Adapting is key to building resilience and creative problem solving.
Imagine
What Does Child Do To Use Skill In The Game?
While not required to play the game, players may imagine what stars, planets and comets are like, as well as what it may be like to travel or live in space.
How Parents Can Assist Learning
No special parent support is required.
Learning Implications and Educator Support
No special learning implications or support is required.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Special Needs
Cognitive
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children with cognitive challenges may have difficulty comprehending the concept, sequence and actions within the game. It could help to play with a partner who can read the cards and help make decisions about moves.
Encourage children to think about what the facts mean. For example, "Are the days and nights on Jupiter longer or shorter than earth?" This will make the data more meaningful.
Communication
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Communication outside of one's turn is not necessary, but most will want to discuss the facts and what they mean. Discussion of the facts should be encouraged, along with the progress each player is making.
Ask questions of each other to encourage communication such as "If gravity is stronger on Neptune, would you be lighter or heavier than on earth?"
Sensorimotor
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
The rocket tokens are small and may be difficult for children with fine motor difficulties to manipulate. Another player can help manipulate the rocket or research cards, if necessary. A card tray is recommended to make holding the cards easier.
Social Emotional/Behavioral
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children who do not have an interest in space, may find the facts uninteresting. Prior to playing draw them in by talking about the definitions in the glossary and the facts in the directions folder, and refer to the pictures and facts on the Solar System Fun Facts poster.
Encourage children to think about what the facts mean. For example, "Are the days and nights on Jupiter longer or shorter than earth?" This will make the data more meaningful.
Vision
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
Children with low vision may have difficulty reading the low-contrast words on the data boards and cards. They may benefit from playing with a partner.
Hearing
Suggestions for How to Modify Play Experience
If a player is deaf and other players do not use sign language, they can show their cards, point to the symbol they are following for play and following the actions indicated.
Players can understand other players moves if other players are slow and deliberate with their moves and if the person with hearing issues watches carefully.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Autism
Autism Strengths & Interests
Short Summary of Strengths & Interests
- Astronomy
- Decision Making
- Strategy
Is good at matching visual items
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players need to match the label on the data cards to the label on their data board. When playing a card with a data icon, they also need to match that icon to the data icon on the planet in order to determine if they can move to the next planet.
Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge
This game is not appropriate
Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Although not needed to play the game, a good memory for pictures and symbols will help the player associate with the different planets and symbols.
Likes to put things in order or a sequence
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
The goal of the game is to make points by moving through the sequence of the planets in order, while at the same time discovering relevant facts about the planets.`
Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind
This game is not appropriate
Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
The game includes numbers relating to facts, but players do not need to perform math operations. Reading is also important in the game, and players may need to decode some new vocabulary words.
Is very concrete and literal
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
Planet Voyagers is abstract, requiring thinking about the solar system and facts associated with the different planets.
Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)
This game is not appropriate
Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Planet Voyagers requires nonverbal reasoning and logic. Players make decisions about which of their five cards to play and what order will result in the most points. The players also need to watch other players' cards to determine what they might want to do, particularly when they have a priority number on their card and can go first. When players have a card with a data icon, they need to be able to determine whether the planet meets the criteria on the card to move forward.
Likes spatial problem solving
This game is not appropriate
Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Reading is needed for understanding the options for play with each of the cards. Players also need to read the data board on cards with data icons to determine whether the planet meets the criteria for moving forward.
Likes to use and has good fine motor skill
Is This Game Appropriate? Yes
Description
Players move their rockets from planet to planet and manipulate data cards under their data board, which requires fine motor skills, but precision is not needed. Other players can assist if needed.
Likes established routines or set ways of doing things
Is This Game Appropriate? No
Description
The routine of game play is the same with each turn, but players use different cards with different directions with each turn. Decision-making about options is important.
Likes manipulating, constructing or building things
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good musical abilities
This game is not appropriate
Likes to use and has good drawing skills
This game is not appropriate
Autism Special Considerations
Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Players do not need to give eye contact or communicate with other players to be able to play Planet Voyager. Players need to watch others' cards and moves to strategize their next moves to gain more points.
Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The directions for Planet Voyager involve thinking about multiple options for each turn. Weighing these options may be too challenging for some children. Walk the child through several rounds, so the child can see how making different choices can result in different outcomes. Discuss moves as the game is played. This will help the child learn new strategies.
Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Unless the child's echolalia interferes with other players' reading or thinking, echolalia should not interfere with the game.
Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If the child has an obsession with space, they may keep talking about and sharing facts with the group. This may actually enhance the game discussion. If, however, the child's topic is unrelated to the game, other players may find this distracting. Players can try to relate the child's preferred topic (e.g., math, an animal, etc. to planets) to planets (e.g., "Would a horse weigh more on Earth or Neptune?")
Has difficulty producing speech/communication
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Speech and communication are not necessary to play Planet Voyager. Players can show their cards and point to what they have chosen to do.
Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The sequence of steps in play is not difficult: select a card to play and do what is on the card or select one of two options on the card. The complex aspect of the game is weighing the options against other players status with research cards and their position on the planet sequence.
Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Social interactions are not needed in the game, but adults can model commenting on others' plays; for example, "That's a great choice! You were able to take her research tile."
Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If the game is too frustrating for the child, play as partners, so that tiles are picked together and placement is discussed so the child is successful. Fidget toys between the child's turns may also help the child self calm. Playing with a partner may also reduce anxiety.
Has short attention span for non-preferred activities
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If space concepts are of interest to the child, this game should be a good match. If not, make the game into a story about flying to Neptune. Make each turn part of the story and ask the child to help discuss what is happening on the planet.
Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The elements of each turn are the same, but the moves a player makes will be different based on the card that is selected. This may be tolerable by some children with autism, but others may find the various options unsettling. Encourage the child to take their time, look carefully at all the data boards and the location of the rockets on the planets. Remind the child to think about the points they currently have, how many others have, and what move will give the player an advantage. Playing with a partner may also reduce anxiety.
Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.
Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes
Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes
Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Children don't have to understand others' feelings to play Planet Voyager. Other players, however, can model commenting on how players feel when they make a good move or take another player's research token.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
Extended Play
Extra Ways to Play the Game
When a player uses a data card, they have to create a math problem to go with the facts on that data card. For example, "How much longer is a day on earth than on Neptune?", "If a rocket went 1000 miles per hour, how long would it take to go around Uranus?", or "How many Earth years are in one year on Neptune?" The player who answers correctly first gets an extra point.
Materials Needed
Paper and pencils.
Developmental Benefits
This gives all players additional math practice, whether with simple addition and subtraction or higher level division and multiplication. It also encourages children to create their own math problems by examining statistics and turning them into a comparative math problem.
*Data compiled from CCSSI ELA Standards, WA Science Standards, and Washington Social Studies Standards
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How to Play Video & Transcript
A game where you explore and research the amazing solar system that we live in!
You can play Planet Voyagers with 2-5 players, ages 8 and up.
Planet Voyagers is good for increasing Astronomy Knowledge as players read their voyager cards and data boards, learning interesting facts about planets, moons, asteroids and comets while sparking their curiosity about our solar system.
Planet Voyagers also helps with developing Strategy Skills as players analyze their voyager cards, as well as the movements and cards of other players, planning, adapting strategies and making decisions that help them score points.
• Place the Sun as the starting disk and the eight planet disks in order according to the numbers found on each disk. Choose which side of the disks faces up, the full planet art or the side that represents each planet at relative scale.
• Then place the matching research token on each planet.
• Each player takes one data board and places it in front of themselves.
• Players then chooses a rocket pawn placing it on the Sun.
• Shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly and then deal five cards facedown to each player.
• Place the remaining cards in a draw pile.
Journey from planet to planet and send out research probes to earn points and learn interesting facts about the celestial bodies near and far.
Be the first player to reach the planet Neptune with your rocket or to score 12 points and win the game!
The game is played in rounds. At the start of each round, each player chooses a single card to play from their hand and places it facedown in front of them.
The goal is to choose a card that helps you earn the most points.
Points can be earned in three ways:
1. Moving your rocket across the solar system
2. Earning research tokens
3. Playing cards with point values
Points may also be lost as research tokens can change possession throughout game play.
When all players have chosen their cards, reveal them so that everyone can see them.
All cards have a priority value, from 100 to 900, in the upper left-hand corner.
Players take their turns in order of priority, starting with the lowest number.
Cards with the same priority numbers are played at the same time. Once all players have played their cards, the round is over.
At any time during a round, if a player’s score reaches 12 points or their rocket reaches Neptune, that player immediately wins the game.
Cards
There are different types of cards. Some move your rocket pawn, and some help you research planets.
Read the text on each card carefully to find out what it does.
The icon in the corner of each card can help identify how each card works.
Movement Icon
Cards with this icon can move rockets to the next planet. Each card can move rockets differently, and some cards may even move multiple rockets at once. After using this card, place it in the discard pile.
Card Icon
Cards with this icon can be used to draw, discard or play extra cards. Each card with this icon plays in a different way, so be sure to read the card’s text carefully.
After using this card, place it in the discard pile.
Data Icons
Cards with these colorful icons also allow you to move your rocket, but only if your next planet meets the specifications called out on the card. This information can be found on your data board next to the corresponding icon.
After using this card, place it in the discard pile.
Research Icon
Cards with this icon can be played to research another planet. The first player to research a planet earns that planet’s token. This point is now added to that player’s current total.
These research tokens may move several times throughout the game. In future rounds other players may gain possession of a token by having the most research cards for that planet.
If you lose a token to another player, then that point no longer counts towards your score. You must keep the token to keep the point.
If you are tied for the most research cards, the token stays where it is.
Research happens in priority order, lowest-numbered card first. When using a card, tuck it under the appropriate planet on your data board so the research icon is visible, and all players can see how many cards you have. Once placed, the card cannot be moved. All research tokens you have gained should also be placed near your board so that all players can see them.
Planet Cards
These cards feature the planets and have both a movement and a research icon because they can be used to either move to that planet or to research it.
If your rocket is on the planet that precedes the one on your card, you may play it to move to that next planet.
After moving, discard the card as you would any other movement card.
If your rocket is not on the preceding planet, then the card can be played to research that planet instead. After playing your card this way, tuck it under the planet on your data board so the research icon is visible, and all players can see how many cards you have.
For example: A player on Mars can advance to Jupiter by playing a Jupiter card. If a player is not currently on Mars and plays a Jupiter card, the card counts as research toward gaining Jupiter’s research token. If you now have the most research cards for that planet, you acquire the research token.
After everyone has played their cards, any player now holding more than five cards will need to discard down to five. All other players will need to draw back up to five cards in their hands.
Should the draw pile only have one card left in it, shuffle that card in with the cards from the discard pile to make a new draw pile.
The next round begins with each player choosing another card to play.
There are three ways to earn points.
Each planet reached by your rocket earns you points.
The farther away from the Sun your rocket travels, the more points you will earn. A planet’s point value is located in the green circle. These points are not cumulative. Do not add them together. Only the planet your rocket is currently on is added to your current total.
You may also earn points by collecting research tokens.
The player with the most research cards under each planet receives that token. Each planet’s research token is worth one point that is added to your score.
There are also some cards that will give a player additional points. When played as directed, they will count toward your overall score.
There are two ways to win.
The first player to reach planet Neptune with their rocket pawn or accumulate a total of 12 points wins the game.
At any time during the game, if a player has accumulated 12 points, they win the game regardless of where their rocket pawn is located. If there is a tie, the player whose rocket is closest to Neptune wins. If there is still a tie, both players share the victory.
Journey from planet to planet, send out research probes and learn interesting facts about the celestial bodies near and far with Planet Voyagers!
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