PARIS — The European Space Agency and The Pokémon Company International released free classroom activity kits on Tuesday, the midpoint of World Space Week 2026, aiming to reach millions of children across Europe with space science lessons. The partnership pairs the franchise's characters with astronomy content.

World Space Week, observed annually from October 4 to 10, marks the 1957 launch of Sputnik and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The 2026 edition carries the theme of exploration and sustainability, with thousands of events registered in more than 90 countries through the United Nations-backed World Space Week Association.

The ESA said the Pokémon collaboration would include downloadable lesson plans, posters and online games tied to topics such as orbits, planetary science and life aboard the International Space Station. Materials were published in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian through the agency's education portal.

Museums, planetariums and schools across the continent scheduled stargazing nights, rocketry workshops and astronaut talks to coincide with the week. The European Southern Observatory and national space agencies in France, Germany and Italy promoted public observation sessions timed to the campaign.

ESA's education office framed the tie-up as an effort to draw younger audiences toward STEM careers during a period of expanding European space investment. The agency identified engagement with children aged six to twelve as a strategic priority for building the next generation of scientists and engineers.