STEM Space Lander Challenge (K-5)
The combination of marshmallows (or ping pong balls) and aliens makes this a winning STEM challenge!
Grades: Kindergarten - 5th
Teaching Duration: 4 hours
“As always, you ladies make the best projects. My students loved making their space lander.”
Lesson Overview
**K-5 Version** 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!
This product 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
