Ultraviolet Light Shelter STEM Challenge (Solar Space Science & Engineering)

Lesson Overview

Ultraviolet Light Shelter Engineering Design Challenge

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

Materials List

• Each student: 10 UV beads + 1 pipe cleaner to build astronaut

• Each team gets:

  • Masking Tape

  • 1 sheet card stock = base 

  • Art supplies like markers to decorate

• Teams choose 4 materials:

  • Foil square

  • Index cards

  • Craft sticks

  • Pipe cleaners

  • Plastic sheet

  • Construction paper

  • Paper plate

• Testing Station Materials:

  • Black light or sunlight