Lesson Title: NASA Needs You!

Grade Level: Quarter:

4th 3rd

Standards:
Science:
S4E2. Students will model the position and motion of the earth in the solar system and will explain the role of relative position and
motion in determining sequence of the phases of the moon.
S4E1. d. Identify how technology is used to observe distant objects in the sky.
S4P3. Students will demonstrate the relationship between the application of a force and the resulting change in position and motion
on an object.
b. Using different size objects, observe how force affects speed and motion.
d. Demonstrate the effect of gravitational force on the motion of an object.

Lesson Essential Question: Vocabulary:

force, motion, speed, objects, gravitational force
EQ: How can I design a new landing system that
will land safely?
student journal Plastic building Lesson Assessment:
Cardboard materials
building String or yarn Student journals
materials (tubes, Popsicle sticks Teacher observation
boxes, etc) Parachute Student created soft landing system
Tape and/or material: plastic
glue bags, wax
Scissors paper, fabric
Eggs scraps, etc
Cotton Balls Bubble wrap
plastic Newspaper
sandwich bags Students may
Construction request
paper additional
balloons materials for
construction
STEM Challenge Overview:
Students have been studying the Earth, Moon, and Solar System during their science time. Hopefully, there has been
some class discussion about the Mars Rover and the huge steps taken in space exploration and documentation. Going
into this project, students should have a working knowledge of space exploration technology and forces and motion.
The Curiosity Rover has a Twitter account! The posts are written as if the Rover itself posted them.
https://twitter.com/MarsCuriosity

Another Curiosity Video: Scientist explains how the landing system was developed http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=weNKci8MrfI&list=PLJicmE8fK0Ejk2MO8WlaGGw7j13_fbc0A

Teacher Background:
This video shows the challenges faced by NASA when they designed the landing system for the Mars Rover Curiosity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svUJdzMHwmM
This second video shows the reaction from engineers and technicians at NASA when they received word that the
Curiosity Rover had landed safely. Its not necessary to watch the entire video, but the big celebration is at about 3:12
into the video. 5:24 seconds shows reactions to the first images transmitted from the Curiosity. The curiosity cost
roughly $2.5 billion to build and it was very important for NASA engineers to protect it! More information can be
found at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html
INSTRUCTION
1. Ask/Engage (Day 1, 20-30 minutes)
Begin by showing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2I8AoB1xgU
You may use more of the videos if you wish to help them gain more background knowledge about the rover.
Students could also watch them while at stations, etc.
Introduce the challenge after viewing the video
Challenge:
NASA is looking for young engineers with promising skills. They want to award scholarships and help educate bright
young people for future Mars and other planetary rovers! Your challenge is to create a soft landing system for a new
exploration vehicle- THE EGG! Remember, this is a very expensive piece of equipment and its very important to keep
it safe! Designs that keep the egg safe will make students eligible for NASA scholarships and educational aid.
Remember what youve learned about forces and motion as you work to protect this precious cargo!
Have students discuss what the goal of the challenge is and complete the Ask portion of their journal.
2. Imagine/Brainstorm (day 2, 30-45 minutes)
Introduce the constraints of the design plan. Define the criteria for success.

Criteria:
Your egg vehicle will be inside a ziplock bag. You will need to attach your soft landing system to the bag (Do
not open the bag during construction)
Your soft landing system test will start from a height of 5 feet high. Each soft landing system that protects the
egg at that height will then increase by 2 feet for each additional test.
You may use tape or glue and only 3 more additional materials for your soft landing system

Ask each student to work independently to come up with 1-2 possible design solutions. Students should draw/label
their designs. Have students get into small groups of 2-4 after creating their independent designs.

3. Plan/Design (Day 2 continued)

Each student presents their ideas to their team.
Student teams collaborate to come up with final design plan.
Students draw final design plan and make a list of needed supplies.

4. Create / Test (Day 3-4, 30-45 minutes) You will need lots of eggs. Have a drop zone in your room that has
paper towel, etc. Be sure students bags are closed prior to creating their soft landing system.
Student teams build their design according to their design plan.
Students test their design plan and record data.

5. Evaluate/Improve and repeat Steps 1-5

Students evaluate their design for success. Did it meet the established criteria? Did their final design match
their planned design? How would students improve their design?
Have students show their final design in front of class. Film the students final testing and show after all groups
have gone.
 Name__________________

NASA Needs You!

4th Grade

Challenge: NASA is looking for young engineers with

promising skills. They want to award scholarships and help
educate bright young people for future Mars and other
planetary rovers! Your challenge is to create a soft landing
system for a new exploration vehicle- THE EGG! Remember,
this is a very expensive piece of equipment and its very important to keep it
safe! Designs that keep the egg safe will make students eligible for NASA
scholarships and educational aid. Remember what youve learned about forces
and motion as you work to protect this precious cargo!

Criteria:
Your egg vehicle will be inside a ziplock bag. You will need to attach your
soft landing system to the bag (Do not open the bag during construction)
Your soft landing system test will start from a height of 5 feet high. Each
soft landing system that protects the egg at that height will then increase
by 2 feet for each additional test.
You may use tape or glue and only 3 more additional materials for your
soft landing system

Constraints:
1. You only have 2 days to complete this mission.
2. You may only use materials provided by your teacher.

Materials: eggs, plastic bags, cotton balls, popsicle sticks, fabric, wax paper,
foil, bubble wrap, newspaper, straws, plastic materials

1. ASK / ENGAGE: What is the problem you are being asked to solve?

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2. IMAGINE/BRAINSTORM: What are some possible solutions to the problem that you are trying to solve? After you brainstorm,
draw and label your ideas below.
Idea #1 Idea #2

3. PLAN/DESIGN: Share your ideas with your group and collaborate to decide on a final design plan. Draw your teams design
below and make a list of the materials that you will need to complete your design.
 Team Design Plan Materials List

4. CREATE/TEST: Use your Final Design Plan to create and build your solution. Test your design. Did it work? Why or Why not?
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5. EVAULATE/IMPROVE: How well did your design work? Did your solution solve the problem within the given constraints?
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How can you improve your design? How can you make it better? Draw and label your improved design below.
Improved Design Plan