Join us for conversations that inspire, recognize, and encourage innovation and best practices in the education profession.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.
Join NASA on an adventure through solving an engineering challenge using the engineering design cycle to design and build a robotic lunar rover to traverse the lunar landscape.
OBJECTIVE
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the Engineering Design Process while utilizing each stage to successfully complete a team challenge.
PROCESS SKILLS
Mapping, communication, measuring, graphing, logical thinking
MATERIALS
STUDENT PAGES
PRE-ACTIVITY SET-UP
Set up a small obstacle course with a few chairs, waste paper baskets, and/ or a table. The course does not have to be too complicated, but set it up so students will have to take at least one right turn and one left turn. Also, give the students enough obstacles so there is more than one path to take to the “finish”. An area of about 25 square meters is recommended.
Please note: This activity will require two 60-90 minute sessions to complete. Make sure to set up the obstacle course exactly the same for both sessions. Also, student acting as the robot will need to be blindfolded for this activity. Please take time to discuss with your students about assisting or “spotting” their blindfolded peer.
ASK, IMAGINE, & PLAN
Engage students in the following questions:
Ask teams to think about how a spacecraft might land on the Moon safely. Ask them to think about why it does not make sense to use a parachute on the Moon. Answer. There is no air on the Moon to fill up the parachute.