A great fit if they…
Look up at the night sky and have a hundred questions about the Moon, planets and stars.
Science, Nature & Space · Astronomy
Space Explorers: Astronomy From the Moon to Distant Galaxies
for Ages 6 to 9
For the kid with a hundred questions about the night sky. Each week the class travels a little further out, with real meteorites on camera.
- Ages
- 6 to 9
- Class size
- 6–8 max
- Format
- Live online · 21 weeks
- Mentor
- Mr. Mark
Show me available times
From $39.71 /week
Course details
Course Overview
Young Scholars Academy's Space Explorers: Astronomy From the Moon to Distant Galaxies is a live online class for gifted or 2e kids ages 6 to 9 who look up at the night sky and have a hundred questions. Each week Mr. Mark takes the class a little further out, from our Moon and Sun to the planets, stars, black holes and galaxies. Students compare sizes, model orbits and see real lunar and Martian meteorites from his collection on camera.
A little further out each week
The class starts close to home with our Moon and Sun. From there it moves out to the planets, then the stars, black holes and galaxies. Each week builds on the last, so the universe gets bigger one step at a time.
Space up close
Mr. Mark brings space up close. Students see real lunar and Martian meteorites from his collection on camera. They compare the sizes of planets and stars and model how orbits work.
The wonders kids ask about
Students explore the volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io, Saturn's rings, and why eclipses happen. They find out how stars are born and how they change over their lives. Mr. Mark keeps it concrete and sized for young kids.
Ages 6 to 9 · Prerequisites · Who it's for
Is this the right class for my kid?
New students
Everyone starts together with Unit 1: Our Solar System.
Learning outcomes
What will my kid learn this semester?
Order the planets
Put the planets in order and describe what makes each one different.
Moon and eclipses
Explain why the Moon has phases and how an eclipse happens.
Life of a star
Describe how a star is born and what it can become.
Space rocks
Tell an asteroid, a comet and a meteorite apart.
What's covered
Unit 1
Our Solar System (weeks 1-5)
How big space is, how orbits work and how our Sun shapes life on Earth.
- Exploring the cosmos: planets, stars, galaxies
- Measuring space: light years and how far is far
- Gravity, orbits and motion
- How stars and planets are born
- The Sun, solar storms and auroras
Unit 2
Planets and Moons (weeks 6-12)
A planet-by-planet tour, with real meteorites on camera.
- Rocky planets: Venus's volcanoes, Martian dust devils
- The Moon (with lunar and Martian meteorite viewing)
- Jupiter and its moons Io and Europa
- Saturn's rings, Titan and Enceladus
- Uranus, Neptune and the outer solar system
- Asteroids, comets and meteorites
- Eclipses, auroras and other sky wonders
Unit 3
Stars and Black Holes (weeks 13-15)
How stars live, explode and leave remnants behind.
- The life cycle of stars
- White dwarfs, neutron stars and supernovae
- Black holes
Unit 4
Galaxies and the Universe (weeks 16-21)
The big picture, and the search for life.
- Galaxies and the Milky Way
- Dark matter and dark energy
- The Big Bang and the expanding universe
- Exoplanets and the search for life
- Humans, robots and communication in space
- Wormholes and other big "what ifs" (and how scientists tell evidence from ideas)
Week-by-week plan
Week by week
Each week the class travels a little further out, from our Moon and Sun to the planets, stars and galaxies.
Week 1Exploring the Cosmos
Compare the sizes of planets, stars, solar systems and galaxies with hands-on activities.
Week 2Measuring Space
Find out how far is far, from the distance to the Sun to light years, and how scientists measure places no one can travel to.
Week 3Gravity, Orbits and Motion
Model orbits and see how gravity keeps planets and moons moving.
Week 4The Birth of Stars and Planets
See how clouds of gas and dust turn into stars and planets.
Week 5The Sun and Its Influence on Earth
Explore sunspots, solar flares and solar storms, and how they make auroras.
Week 6Rocky Planets and Their Natural Wonders
Compare Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, from Venus's volcanoes to Martian dust devils.
Week 7The Moon and Planetary Samples
Explore the Moon's craters and phases, and see real lunar and Martian meteorites on camera.
Week 8Jupiter and Its Moons
Visit the Great Red Spot, then compare Io's volcanoes with Europa's icy surface.
Week 9Saturn and Its Moons
Explore Saturn's rings, then Titan and the icy plumes of Enceladus.
Week 10Uranus, Neptune and the Outer Solar System
Meet the ice giants, the dwarf planets and the faraway Kuiper Belt.
Week 11Asteroids, Comets and Meteorites
Learn to tell an asteroid, a comet and a meteorite apart, with real meteorites on camera.
Week 12Eclipses and Optical Wonders
Find out how eclipses, auroras and the green flash happen.
Week 13The Life Cycle of Stars
Follow a star from birth to old age, and see why big stars and small stars end differently.
Week 14Stellar Remnants and Explosions
Meet white dwarfs, neutron stars and supernovae.
Week 15Black Holes and Extreme Gravity
Find out what a black hole is and how scientists know one is there.
Week 16Galaxies and the Milky Way
Compare spiral, elliptical and irregular galaxies, and find our place in the Milky Way.
Week 17Dark Matter and Dark Energy
Find out why scientists think there's more out there than we can see, and what's still a mystery.
Week 18The Beginning and Expansion of the Universe
Explore the Big Bang and how the universe keeps getting bigger.
Week 19Exoplanets and the Search for Life
See how scientists find planets around other stars and what a planet needs for life.
Week 20Humans, Robots and Communication in Space
Explore spacecraft, how astronauts stay alive in space, satellites and robot explorers.
Week 21Wormholes, Dimensions and the Multiverse
Talk about big "what ifs" and learn how scientists tell evidence from ideas.
Growth · Progress reports
You'll see the growth every week
A write-up every week
A short report from Mr. Mark about your child's actual work: what they made, where they shined, what's next.
Materials Needed
- No materials needed.
You'll get this list by email when you enroll, then 1 week, 3 days and 1 day before class starts.
Getting started
What happens after you enroll
1. Your welcome email
Zoom link, Google Classroom link and an add-to-calendar button in one place. Forward it to your child: Young Scholars Academy can't email students directly.
2. Google Classroom
Syllabus, the weekly Zoom link and a way to message Mr. Mark.
3. Every week
A short progress report from Mr. Mark about your child's actual work.
Spring 2027 · Schedule · Tuition
At a glance
Key facts
- Provider
- Young Scholars Academy (WASC-accredited virtual school for gifted or 2e students, ages 5-18)
- Course
- Space Explorers: Astronomy From the Moon to Distant Galaxies
- Mentor
- Mr. Mark
- Ages
- 6-9
- Format
- Live online small-group class on Zoom, 6 to 8 students max per class (average class: 5 students)
- Class length
- 45 minutes, once a week
- Term
- Spring 2027, January 4 to May 28, 2027 (21 weeks)
- Category
- Science, Nature & Space
- Credit option
- No: enrichment only
Spring 2027 sections
| Section | Ages | Day | Time (PT / ET) | Weeks | First class | Mentor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ages 6-9, Wednesday (new course) | 6-9 | Wednesday | 9:00-9:45 AM PT / 12:00-12:45 PM ET | 21 | January 6, 2027 | Mr. Mark |
All times Pacific, with Eastern alongside.
Tuition (Spring 2027)
- Flex Payment Plan $41.80/week ($877.80 total); Pay Up Front (save 5%) $39.71/week ($833.91 total).
- Friendship Social Club only: free when a student takes 3 or more classes. Parent Social Club only: free with the All-Access Pass.
- New Year All-Access Pass (covers 21-week spring classes; pay in full): Bronze $2,797 (4 live courses + Friendship Social Club), Silver $3,597 (5 live courses + 1 free bonus course), Gold $5,797 (8 live courses + 2 free bonus courses). Class switches allowed during the first month (January 4 to February 3, 2027).
- Guarantee: Try It From The Inside. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Not in love? Switch courses (equal or lesser value) or take a credit. Payment plans can also stop future payments after 30 days. Attendance required.
How to enroll
- Course page and enrollment: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/courses/space-explorers-astronomy
- Free Spring Open House: November 11, 2026, 5 PM PT. RSVP: https://youngscholarsacademy.org/spring-open-house
- Questions: support@youngscholarsacademy.org
Meet Your Mentor
Mr. Mark
Mentor
Science Educator & Neurodivergent Advocate
- Neurodivergent advocate
- Growth mindset specialist
- Science
- STEM
Space Explorers: Astronomy From the Moon to Distant Galaxies FAQ
Questions parents ask about Space Explorers: Astronomy From the Moon to Distant Galaxies
Are the meteorites real?
Yes. Mr. Mark shows real lunar and Martian meteorites from his collection on camera.
Is this too advanced for a 6-year-old?
Space Explorers: Astronomy is built for ages 6 to 9. Mr. Mark keeps the content concrete and kid-sized, with comparisons, models and real specimens.
What do we need for class?
No materials are needed.
How long is each class?
Each class is 45 minutes, sized for younger kids.
What will my child be able to do by the end?
Put the planets in order and describe each one, explain Moon phases and eclipses, describe how a star is born and what it can become, and tell an asteroid, a comet and a meteorite apart.
Try It From The Inside Satisfaction Guarantee
The Young Scholars Academy Promise
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
Pay In Full Option
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
Payment Plan Option
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
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About Young Scholars Academy
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSATheir best year starts here.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
