STEM Space Lander Challenge
The combination of marshmallows (or ping pong balls) and aliens makes this a winning STEM challenge! With the Space Lander Challenge, student teams build a lander using the Engineering Design Process to keep two marshmallow "aliens" or "astronauts" inside a cup as it is dropped from various heights.
Grades: 5th- 8th
Teaching Duration: 4 hours
“This was an amazing STEM PBL activity for my students. They were very engaged throughout the entire project, and it was simple to modify for elementary age students. They learned a lot, and were discussing how they could modify it even after we were done working on the project.”
lesson overview
The combination of marshmallows (or ping pong balls) and aliens makes this a winning STEM challenge! With the Space Lander Challenge, student teams build a lander using the Engineering Design Process to keep two marshmallow "aliens" or "astronauts" inside a cup as it is dropped from various heights. Using straws, index cards, and mini marshmallows or cotton balls, students apply concepts of shock-absorption, drag forces, and stability, to create and test designs. A surprise ending challenge helps students learn from their failures too! The included Common Core aligned math extension problems help students analyze solutions and connect the challenge to real-world scenarios.
This product now has 3 options that connect students to real world STEM! Follow the story line by choosing between aliens, the Moon, or Mars as a theme. This product includes handouts describing the Apollo and Artemis missions to the Moon as well as the exploration and future of humans on Mars! This is the perfect way to connect to current events in space exploration.
As with many STEM activities that are student-driven, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities. As one of our go-to STEM challenges, we have used the STEM Space Lander Challenge in elementary through high school levels with great success!
Updated for distance learning! Click below for:
Included in this product:
Detailed teachers guide with links to resources
STEM Career Connections
Real-world STEM history and science handouts
Student handouts to guide them through the engineering design process
Student recording sheet for each step of the process
Math connection problems including angles, ratios, geometry, and graphing
