0
Skip to Content
Vivify STEM
Schools
School Solutions
Request a Quote
K-8 Teacher Membership
Shop Resources
Start Here
STEM By Grade
STEM Classroom
5E Science
Summer & AfterSchool
Family Nights
Access Account
Terms of Use + FAQ
Teacher Support
Blog
Podcast
How to Teach STEM
STEM Recommendations
Swag
Career Chats
Membership
Join
Member Home
Free Videos
Explorer Library
All-Access Lesson Library
Professional Development
About
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our Partners
Vivify in the News
Research & Publications
Contact Us
Free Resource Library
Vivify STEM
Schools
School Solutions
Request a Quote
K-8 Teacher Membership
Shop Resources
Start Here
STEM By Grade
STEM Classroom
5E Science
Summer & AfterSchool
Family Nights
Access Account
Terms of Use + FAQ
Teacher Support
Blog
Podcast
How to Teach STEM
STEM Recommendations
Swag
Career Chats
Membership
Join
Member Home
Free Videos
Explorer Library
All-Access Lesson Library
Professional Development
About
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our Partners
Vivify in the News
Research & Publications
Contact Us
Free Resource Library
Folder: Schools
Back
School Solutions
Request a Quote
K-8 Teacher Membership
Folder: Shop Resources
Back
Start Here
STEM By Grade
STEM Classroom
5E Science
Summer & AfterSchool
Family Nights
Access Account
Terms of Use + FAQ
Folder: Teacher Support
Back
Blog
Podcast
How to Teach STEM
STEM Recommendations
Swag
Career Chats
Folder: Membership
Back
Join
Member Home
Free Videos
Explorer Library
All-Access Lesson Library
Professional Development
Folder: About
Back
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our Partners
Vivify in the News
Research & Publications
Contact Us
Free Resource Library
Shop Solar Energy Tower Design Challenge | Middle School Engineering Our Cosmos
solar energy tower cover.png Image 1 of 4
solar energy tower cover.png
solar energy tower 2.png Image 2 of 4
solar energy tower 2.png
solar energy tower 3.png Image 3 of 4
solar energy tower 3.png
solar energy tower 4.png Image 4 of 4
solar energy tower 4.png
solar energy tower cover.png
solar energy tower 2.png
solar energy tower 3.png
solar energy tower 4.png

Solar Energy Tower Design Challenge | Middle School Engineering Our Cosmos

$6.25

Through this engineering design challenge, students explore and apply key science concepts including solar energy, circuits, and switches, while considering real-world challenges of powering infrastructure for life on the Moon.

Grades: 6th - 8th, Homeschool

Teaching Duration: 225 minutes

Add To Cart

Through this engineering design challenge, students explore and apply key science concepts including solar energy, circuits, and switches, while considering real-world challenges of powering infrastructure for life on the Moon.

Grades: 6th - 8th, Homeschool

Teaching Duration: 225 minutes

Through this engineering design challenge, students explore and apply key science concepts including solar energy, circuits, and switches, while considering real-world challenges of powering infrastructure for life on the Moon.

Grades: 6th - 8th, Homeschool

Teaching Duration: 225 minutes

“I used this with my 5th graders to prepare them and teach them what solar panels are how they are used. This prepared them for visiting a solar power farm in Jackson, TN. Excellent resource! ”
— Sylvia A.
purchase on tpt

Lesson Overview

Inspired by the true story of NASA electric propulsion engineer Peter Peterson, who plays a key role in advancing deep space travel through solar energy, this STEM unit blends engineering practices and physical science in an engaging design challenge. Drawing from the Solar Electric Propulsion project, students design and build a solar-powered welcome tower for a future lunar base. The tower must include a working light at the top and feature a switch at the base to control the light. Through this engineering design challenge, students explore and apply key science concepts including solar energy, circuits, and switches, while considering real-world challenges of powering infrastructure for life on the Moon.

Engineering Our Cosmos Storyline (Adaptable for Grades 6 - 8): Humanity has long looked to the stars with wonder. Now, we stand at the dawn of a new era, where engineers will lead the way to other worlds. Your mission: design the tools, technologies, and systems that enable human exploration and survival beyond Earth. Each challenge brings us closer to life among the stars—and drives innovations that improve life here on Earth. It’s time to start Engineering Our Cosmos!

A Mission Beyond Earth, To The Moon: In this unit, students will learn about NASA engineer, Peter Peterson, an electric propulsion engineer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, who has spent years advancing the future of deep space travel. Peter plays a key role in developing Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP), a cutting-edge technology that uses the Sun’s energy to power spacecraft engines.

Engineering Learning Goals in this unit include:

  • Real-World Connections: Learn how solar power works and how NASA uses solar power.

  • Making: Use materials to create a simple circuit, a switch, and a solar panel to explore variables to get optimal power and re-design based on testing data.

  • Habits of Mind: Work as a team to build a design that solves a problem and communicate ideas and provide feedback to peers.

  • Science: Explore and collecting data on circuits. Understand how a switch impacts a circuit. Learn about solar energy by experimenting with solar panels.

  • Technology: Learn about the technology of solar energy. Learn about the technology and careers in energy.

  • Math: Use observations to make informed design changes. Addition and division problems related to the project data tables.

Included in this product:

  • Aligned to: NGSS, TEKS, and ITEEA Standards

  • Complete Teacher Guide following the engineering design process

  • Materials list and activity suggestions

  • Editable teaching slides

  • Editable student handouts for each phase of the design process, including science background, STEM career connection, information on Peter Peterson, and more!

  • Mission report and badges

Recommended Supplies

Exploring Circuits and Exploring Switches Materials:

  • Coin Cell Battery

  • LED Light

  • Aluminum Foil 

  • Construction Paper

  • Cardstock

  • Paper Plates

  • Straws

  • Teachers can allow any conductive materials such as conductive tape, paper clips, etc.

Using Solar Energy Materials:

  • Solar Panel

  • LED Light

  • Aluminum Foil

  • Sunlight or UV Flashlight

2021 Science TEKS Standards Alignment (Texas)

  • Practices: 1A/B/D/E/F/G, 2A/B/C/D, 3A/B, 4A/B/C

  • Content: 6.8B, 6.5E, 7.7A-B, 8.8B

Pay with PO
back to shop

You Might Also Like

Mission to Mars: Year-Long Middle School STEM & Engineering Curriculum Mission to Moon Mars Bundle Cover.png Mission to Moon Mars Bundle Cover (2).png Mission to Moon Mars Bundle Cover (1).png
Mission to Mars: Year-Long Middle School STEM & Engineering Curriculum
Sale Price:$59.00 Original Price:$89.75
sale
Design a Lunar Colony: Game + STEM Project Guide (Mission to Moon) Moon Lunar Colony Game + Project Guide Product Cover (3).png Moon Lunar Colony Game + Project Guide Product Cover (2).png Moon Lunar Colony Game + Project Guide Product Cover (1).png
Design a Lunar Colony: Game + STEM Project Guide (Mission to Moon)
$15.00
Mars Helicopters Engineering Design Challenge (STEM Activity) 2.png 3.png 4.png
Mars Helicopters Engineering Design Challenge (STEM Activity)
$5.75
Space Capsule Heat Shield 5E Engineering Challenge (MS-PS3-3) 2.png 3.png 4.png
Space Capsule Heat Shield 5E Engineering Challenge (MS-PS3-3)
$5.75
Distance Learning Bundle: Plants in Space STEM Activity (Elementary) Editable Digital STEM Journals - Plants in Space.png Editable Take-Home Printed STEM Journals - Plants in Space.png Instructional STEM Video - Plants in Space.png
Distance Learning Bundle: Plants in Space STEM Activity (Elementary)
$7.25

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive freebies, STEM tips, and the latest updates.

Thank you for joining Vivify STEM’s Newsletter!

© 2014-2025 Vivify LLC Privacy Policy , Terms & Conditions

↑ Back to Top