STEM Space Moon Crater Design Challenge (Engineering Design Process)
This engaging STEM challenge is a fun way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! Students use the engineering design process
Grades: 4th - 9th
Teaching Duration: 2 hours
“This STEM challenge was a great way to wrap up our science unit on planets and space. My students loved working together. They were engaged the whole time.”
lesson overview
Can your team of astronauts work together to land a rover in the center of a crater on the Moon?
This engaging STEM challenge is a fun way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or afterschool program! Students use the engineering design process and explore the forces of motion to place a ball in a cup at the center of a 6-foot diameter circle without entering the circle. This challenge represents placing a NASA rover into the middle of the Apollo lunar crater for exploration as a potential human colony site. This challenge is great for a space exploration unit or learning about the moon.
This packet includes:
Detailed teacher guide with links to resources
Editable Teacher Presentation Slides
Editable student handouts to guide them through the design process
Student recording sheet for each step of the process
Math connection problems including ratios and geometry (circles)
