Lunar Landers

Blurb: Participants will work in groups to create a structure that will keep their astronaut
(ping pong ball) from falling out of their rocket ship (plastic cup). The goal of the activity is
to ensure that the astronaut remains in the rocket as the rocket lands. Participants will
drop their rockets from a specified height once they are constructed. Discussion will focus
on STEM principles such as gravity, momentum, force, inertia, Newtons Laws of Motion.
Discussion will also focus on collaboration, resiliency and strategy and planning.

Topics/Skills: STEM, collaboration, resiliency strategy/planning

STEM Principals:

Gravity - the force of the Earth that attracts objects to the Earths surface. Why
things fall to the ground and stay grounded.
Momentum - the quantity of motion an object has; mass in motion.
Force - a push or pull upon an object resulting in a change to the motion of the
object.
Inertia - when an object of matter continues in its existing state of rest or uniform
motion until that state is changed by an external force.
Newtons Laws of Motion
1st Law: Every object persists in its state of rest or uniform motion in a
straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.
3rd Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action.

Purpose: For participants to understand how to construct an object to be resilient against

forces.

Objective: To have participants learn about the importance of construction of structures to

protect against outside forces. This can then relate to how forces in life can affect how we
interact with others and the importance of resiliency.

Goals:

To use STEM principles to create a structure that will keep an object safe from
damage.
To work together to complete a task.
To understand the importance of working together to create a plan.

Time: 30-45 minutes

Supplies:

Plastic cups
Ping pong balls
Straws
Rubber bands
Balloons
Paper bags

Activity:

1. Participants will work together in groups.

2. Provide students with supplies. (Supplies can be altered with changes in directions
and types of tasks given to the group.)
3. Task each group with creating a Lunar Lander that will keep their astronaut (ping
pong ball) safe during landing.
4. The group will design and create a lander in the time given.
5. Once the groups have created their landers, they will drop them from a specified
height to test the safety of their landers for their astronauts.
Rules:

1. Students must secure their astronaut within their landers. The astronaut cannot
move within their lander.
2. Landers can only use the supplies given. (Different supplies and quantities can be
given for different functions needed of the landers.)
3. Participants will drop their landers from a specified height to test the durability of
their landers and how safe they keep their astronauts.
4. If an astronaut moves during the landing, or falls out of the lander during landing,
that team is disqualified.
5. In the event of a tie, teams will increase the height at which they land their
structures and astronauts to see which groups lander survives the increased height.

Closing: Large group discussion

Reflection: topics could include:

How design and planning are important parts of creating a safe and secure
structure.
Elements within a design structure that are based on forces the structure may
undertake to combat those forces.
how forces in life can affect how we interact with others and the importance of
resiliency.