Ultraviolet Solar Light Shelter STEM Challenge (Elementary K-5)
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.
Grades: Kindergarten - 5th
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: STEM Challenge for Elementary
Your Mission: Can you protect the astronaut from harmful UV rays?
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 is the perfect activity to connect with living on another planet like Mars or the Moon with harmful UV rays.
Updated to include digital journals in Google Slides!
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
Student handouts including an Ultraviolet Light information sheet
Editable digital and printed journals in Google Slides
Student recording packet for each step of the engineering design process
STEM Career Connection
Overview of Mission to Mars & Mission to Moon
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Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide
About STEM Challenges: Click here to learn more about the 3 Stages of STEM. STEM challenges are an engaging way to incorporate the engineering design process into your classroom or after school program! These hands-on activities allow 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 device.
