SPHERE — Heroine’s Learning Journey: From a Common World to a Heroine’s Return (prototype)
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a heroine on a scientific mission? SPHERE — Heroine’s Learning Journey takes girls aged 12 to 18 on a 50-hour adventure through 12 stages, structured across three acts: Departure, Initiation, and Return.
Inspired by the Hero’s Journey narrative framework, this course weaves together hands-on STEM challenges, citizen science, AI critical literacy, and scientific communication — all set against the backdrop of real analog space missions at Alqueva and Lunares.
Along the way, you will build your STEM identity, earn 12 Open Badges, submit four real-world Pillar projects, and graduate with a Europass micro-credential recognised across Europe.
Journey Map
Read-only journey structure with mapped LearnPress content for instructor and stakeholder review.
Empowerment #05 stages
-
EmpowermentThe Common World#012 nodes5 items
- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The SPHERE WorldExternal HTML
- 3The Stage 1 portal is open.External HTML
- 4Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 5Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 6Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 7Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 8DigCompAssessment
- 9Stage 1 Video IntroductionVideo
- 10FigureHTML
- 11Athena Assessments DefaultEvidence
- 12Athena Interaction DefaultEvidence
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 1.1 Challenge: What is an analog mission? (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 1.2 Mission — Map yourself in STEM today (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 1.3 Story: Maya’s first day in the new control room (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 1.4 Aid: Mission patch, Astronaut Notebook, control-room kit (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Formative quiz for Stage 1 (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
EmpowermentThe Call#19 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 2 portal is openExternal HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Stage 2 Video IntroductionVideo
- 7Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 8FigureHTML
- 9Real Explorers, Real MissionsHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 2.1 Challenge: To answer or not to answer? (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 2.2 Mission — Sign the Mission Acceptance Statement (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lição 2.3 Story: The Letter (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 2.4 Aid: Voices of those who answered before you (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 2 — Stage 2: Answer the Call (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
EmpowermentAllies Found#28 nodes6 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 3 portal is openExternal HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 3 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 3.1 Challenge: Tutor, Buddy, Self (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 3.2 Mission: Two strengths, two fears (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 3.3 Story: Helena meets Maya (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 3.4 Aid: Toolkit, Tutor Handbook, GDPR consent template (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 3.5 Interactive: Your first conversation with the Tutor (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 3 — Stage 3: Allies Found (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
EmpowermentStorm Walker#38 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 4 portal is openExternal HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 4 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 4.1 Challenge: What is failure data? (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 4.2 Mission: Document your first failure in the Astronaut Logbook (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 4.3 Story: The broken thermocouple in Innsbruck (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 4.4 Aid: Formative Assessment Debrief technique (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 4 — Stage 4: Storm Walker (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
EmpowermentFear into Fuel#48 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 5 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 5 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 5.1 Challenge: Reframe failure as data, not identity (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 5.2 Mission: Build Plan B and start the Mini-Mission Lab Toolkit (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 5.3 Story: Helena's failed analog mission, told in her own voice (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 5.4 Aid: Reflective journaling, fail-forward video library, UDL accommodations (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 5 — Stage 5: Fear into Fuel (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
Growth #15 stages
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GrowthKnowledge Light#59 nodes5 items
- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 6 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 6 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
- 9Invite New StudentsEvidence
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 6.1 Challenge: Reading Across Subjects (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 6.2 Mission: Close Pillar 1: Mini-Lab Toolkit submission (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 6.3 Story: Piotr and the moss that broke the rule (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 6.4 Aid: Reading a graph well (and what graphs lie about) (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 6 — Stage 6: Knowledge Light (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
GrowthCritical Mind#611 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 7 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 7 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
- 9The Oracle of DelphiExternal HTML
- 10The Oracle of DelphiMission
- 11Map of the Sky at DelphiSky Map
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 7.1 Challenge: When the answer sounds right but is wrong (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 7.2 Mission: Build your personal Verification Protocol (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 7.3 Story: Eleni catches a hallucinated citation (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 7.4 Aid: Prompting Athena well (and the boundary you must not cross) (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 7 — Critical Mind (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
GrowthOrdeal at Alqueva#79 nodes5 items- 1Stage 8 Video IntroductionMission
- 2The Stage 8 portal is open.External HTML
- 3EXPLORE 1 — Students at AlquevaHTML
- 4Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 5Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 6Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 7Stage 8 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 9FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 8.1 Challenge: Crossing the threshold of "real" (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 8.2 Mission: Run a full SOCS protocol over two nights at Alqueva (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 8.3 Story: The night the cloud said no (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 8.4 Aid: Field-night safety, fatigue, and the cohort buddy system (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 8 — Ordeal at Alqueva (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
GrowthDefender of Truth#88 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 9 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 9 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 9.1 Challenge: The poster is an argument, not a decoration (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 9.2 Mission: Build, print, and submit your scientific poster (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 9.3 Mission B: The 90-second oral defence (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 9.4 Aid: Receiving questions without losing the floor (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 9 — Defender of Truth (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
GrowthSelf-Captain#98 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 10 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 10 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 10.1 Challenge: From learner to self-captain (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 10.2 Mission: Write one SMART goal six months out, plus an autonomy plan (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 10.3 Story: Klara teaches her grandmother to read a graph (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 10.4 Aid: The weekly self-review (15 minutes that protect your goal) (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- 7. Quiz 10 — Self-Captain (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
Return #22 stages
-
ReturnSystem Rebooter (Lunares)#108 nodes5 items
- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 11 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 11 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 11.1 Challenge: A school is a habitat too (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 11.2 Mission: Pillar 4 — Build your STEM School Label submission (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 11.3 Story: When the principal said no (and what came next) (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 11.4 Aid: Writing for institutional readers (the genre your principal expects) (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- 7. Quiz 11 — System Rebooter (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
ReturnHeroine and Hero#118 nodes5 items- 1Sphere Journey VideoMission
- 2The Stage 12 portal is open.External HTML
- 3Sphere StoryExternal HTML
- 4Sphere ChallengeExternal HTML
- 5Sphere AidExternal HTML
- 6Sphere MissionExternal HTML
- 7Stage 12 Video IntroductionVideo
- 8FigureHTML
LearnPress links
Sections mapped to this stage:
No sections mapped to this stage.
Lessons/Quizzes linked to this stage:
- Lesson 12.1 Challenge: The return is not a finish line (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 12.2 Mission: Write your final reflection (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 12.3 Story: The Heroine Circle (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Lesson 12.4 Aid: What happens after Friday — alumni pathways (Copy) (Copy) [Lesson] – Section: Act I — Departure
- Quiz 12 — Heroine and Hero (Copy) (Copy) [Quiz] – Section: Act I — Departure
Course-level cards mapping
No course-level cards mapped to journey tasks in this stage.
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Features
- 12 stages mapped to lunar phases across 3 Acts
- 4 hands-on Pillar projects including a real analog mission at Alqueva
- 12 Open Badges (Open Badges 2.0) + Europass micro-credential (50h)
- AI critical literacy embedded in Stage 7 (Athena tutor)
- Available in English, Portuguese, German, Polish, Greek and French
Target audiences
- Young students aged 12 to 18, enrolled in secondary school in a SPHERE partner country (Portugal, Austria, Poland, Greece or Germany), at Junior, Cadet or Senior level
Requirements
- No prior STEM knowledge required
- Access to a computer or tablet with internet connection
- Parental consent form completed (for learners under 16)
- School enrolment via a SPHERE
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 49 Lessons
- 50 Hours
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections- Act I — DepartureThe world before the journey. Stages where the heroine is called and equipped.61
- 1.1Lesson 1.1 Challenge: What is an analog mission? (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.2Lesson 1.2 Mission — Map yourself in STEM today (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.3Lesson 1.3 Story: Maya’s first day in the new control room (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.4Lesson 1.4 Aid: Mission patch, Astronaut Notebook, control-room kit (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.5Formative quiz for Stage 1 (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes8 Questions
- 1.6Lesson 2.1 Challenge: To answer or not to answer? (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.7Lesson 2.2 Mission — Sign the Mission Acceptance Statement (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.8Lição 2.3 Story: The Letter (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.9Lesson 2.4 Aid: Voices of those who answered before you (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.10Quiz 2 — Stage 2: Answer the Call (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes6 Questions
- 1.11Lesson 3.1 Challenge: Tutor, Buddy, Self (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.12Lesson 3.2 Mission: Two strengths, two fears (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.13Lesson 3.3 Story: Helena meets Maya (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.14Lesson 3.4 Aid: Toolkit, Tutor Handbook, GDPR consent template (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.15Lesson 3.5 Interactive: Your first conversation with the Tutor (Copy) (Copy)15 Minutes
- 1.16Quiz 3 — Stage 3: Allies Found (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes7 Questions
- 1.17Lesson 4.1 Challenge: What is failure data? (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.18Lesson 4.2 Mission: Document your first failure in the Astronaut Logbook (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.19Lesson 4.3 Story: The broken thermocouple in Innsbruck (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.20Lesson 4.4 Aid: Formative Assessment Debrief technique (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.21Quiz 4 — Stage 4: Storm Walker (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes8 Questions
- 1.22Lesson 5.1 Challenge: Reframe failure as data, not identity (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.23Lesson 5.2 Mission: Build Plan B and start the Mini-Mission Lab Toolkit (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.24Lesson 5.3 Story: Helena’s failed analog mission, told in her own voice (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.25Lesson 5.4 Aid: Reflective journaling, fail-forward video library, UDL accommodations (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.26Quiz 5 — Stage 5: Fear into Fuel (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes6 Questions
- 1.27Lesson 6.1 Challenge: Reading Across Subjects (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.28Lesson 6.2 Mission: Close Pillar 1: Mini-Lab Toolkit submission (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.29Lesson 6.3 Story: Piotr and the moss that broke the rule (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.30Lesson 6.4 Aid: Reading a graph well (and what graphs lie about) (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.31Quiz 6 — Stage 6: Knowledge Light (Copy) (Copy)20 Minutes10 Questions
- 1.32Lesson 7.1 Challenge: When the answer sounds right but is wrong (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.33Lesson 7.2 Mission: Build your personal Verification Protocol (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.34Lesson 7.3 Story: Eleni catches a hallucinated citation (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.35Lesson 7.4 Aid: Prompting Athena well (and the boundary you must not cross) (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.36Quiz 7 — Critical Mind (Copy) (Copy)15 Minutes8 Questions
- 1.37Lesson 8.1 Challenge: Crossing the threshold of “real” (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.38Lesson 8.2 Mission: Run a full SOCS protocol over two nights at Alqueva (Copy) (Copy)1080 Minutes
- 1.39Lesson 8.3 Story: The night the cloud said no (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.40Lesson 8.4 Aid: Field-night safety, fatigue, and the cohort buddy system (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.41Quiz 8 — Ordeal at Alqueva (Copy) (Copy)18 Minutes9 Questions
- 1.42Lesson 9.1 Challenge: The poster is an argument, not a decoration (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.43Lesson 9.2 Mission: Build, print, and submit your scientific poster (Copy) (Copy)90 Minutes
- 1.44Lesson 9.3 Mission B: The 90-second oral defence (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.45Lesson 9.4 Aid: Receiving questions without losing the floor (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.46Quiz 9 — Defender of Truth (Copy) (Copy)9 Questions
- 1.47Lesson 10.1 Challenge: From learner to self-captain (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.48Lesson 10.2 Mission: Write one SMART goal six months out, plus an autonomy plan (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.49Lesson 10.3 Story: Klara teaches her grandmother to read a graph (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.50Lesson 10.4 Aid: The weekly self-review (15 minutes that protect your goal) (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.517. Quiz 10 — Self-Captain (Copy) (Copy)15 Minutes8 Questions
- 1.52Lesson 11.1 Challenge: A school is a habitat too (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.53Lesson 11.2 Mission: Pillar 4 — Build your STEM School Label submission (Copy) (Copy)900 Minutes
- 1.54Lesson 11.3 Story: When the principal said no (and what came next) (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.55Lesson 11.4 Aid: Writing for institutional readers (the genre your principal expects) (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.567. Quiz 11 — System Rebooter (Copy) (Copy)18 Minutes9 Questions
- 1.57Lesson 12.1 Challenge: The return is not a finish line (Copy) (Copy)45 Minutes
- 1.58Lesson 12.2 Mission: Write your final reflection (Copy) (Copy)90 Minutes
- 1.59Lesson 12.3 Story: The Heroine Circle (Copy) (Copy)60 Minutes
- 1.60Lesson 12.4 Aid: What happens after Friday — alumni pathways (Copy) (Copy)30 Minutes
- 1.61Quiz 12 — Heroine and Hero (Copy) (Copy)15 Minutes8 Questions
Instructor
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