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Middle school learners will be guided through a series of challenges that follow the engineering design cycle. Join NASA on an adventure through solving an engineering challenge to create an crew exploration vehicle to return humans to the moon with simple materials.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate an understanding of the Engineering Design Process while utilizing each stage to successfully complete a team challenge.
PROCESS SKILLS
Measuring, calculating, designing, evaluating
MATERIALS
STUDENT PAGES
PRE-ACTIVITY SET-UP
Select a size constraint (mailing tube, oatmeal canister or coffee can). Fill in the sentence on the Design Challenge so students will know what the size constraint is for their CEV.
ASK, IMAGINE, & PLAN
Engage the students with the following questions:
Ask teams to bring back their CEV model for use in next session’s challenge. You may want to store them in the classroom or have one of the facilitators be responsible for their safe return next session.
Ask teams to think about potential launch mechanisms before during the next session. Tell them they will be building a launcher out of the standard materials that have been available to them, including large rubber bands.