Ultraviolet Light Shelter STEM Challenge (Solar Space Science & Engineering)
Students are on a mission to protect an astronaut from ultraviolet light over-exposure in this engaging STEM challenge.
Grades: 5th - 8th
Teaching Duration: 2 days
“Nice full problem-solving challenge! I reduced the size of the materials students could use to make it a harder challenge for high school engineering students. Excellent resource. ”
lesson overview
Ultraviolet Light Shelter Engineering Design Challenge: Updated with digital journals!
Students are on a mission to protect an astronaut from ultraviolet light over-exposure in this engaging STEM challenge. Using UV-sensitive beads, students explore how different materials absorb UV light and use the engineering design process to build a UV-safe shelter.
This design challenge allows students to work in teams, apply the engineering design process, and connect science topics to real-world applications. The teacher will provide the structure to the project, but students will take an active role in designing and building their own shelter.
This packet includes:
Detailed educator guide with links to resources
Photos of student project examples
Student handouts including an Ultraviolet Light information sheet
STEM Career Connection: Meteorologist
Student recording packet for each step of the engineering design process
Editable pages in Google Slides with a digital and printed journal versions
Reflection questions
Math extension questions in imperial and metric units
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Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide
