Space Lander (Activity + Instructional Video)
Originally Posted: May 6, 2020
Updated: May 2024
Type: STEM Activity
Grade: 2-8
Mission: Keep your astronauts safe when landing on Mars!
Materials needed: Watch the video for suggested materials.
Materials for the astronaut: ping pong ball or jumbo marshmallow.
Materials for the lander: scissors, tape, 3 - 5 oz paper or plastic cup, paper, cotton balls, and straws.
Watch Instructional Video: STEM Space At Home is a video series led by an engineer using materials you can find at home. The videos are intended to support elementary and middle school students through fun engineering design challenges with a real-world connection. Find all episodes here.
STEM Space At-Home is brought to you by Vivify STEM and Communities In Schools of San Antonio through the NASA program “New Worlds Await You” led by the WEX Foundation.
Check out these awesome NASA links and videos:
Want to learn more about astronauts?
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Need a year-long space STEM unit for your STEM classroom or engineering elective course? This Mission to Mars bundle includes engineering design challenges building up to a capstone project of building a habitat on Mars!
Click here for supply list and pacing guide!
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This STEM activity is one of our favorite engineering design challenges! The combination of ping pong balls and aliens makes this a winning STEM challenge!
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Need a semester-long STEM unit? This Mission to Moon bundle includes engineering design challenges building up to a capstone project of building a habitat on the Moon!
Click for pacing guide & supply list.
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