Modules
Below is a list of the hands-on activities we
use at space grant
To view our activity
documentation (presentations, etc.), you may need to download viewers for
Microsoft Office products. Click on the links below to download them for
free!
Word Viewer (.doc)
PowerPoint Viewer (.ppt)
Excel Viewer (.xls)
Edible Rockets
Using carrots, celery, bread, and peanut butter to build an edible rocket,
Pre-K students learn about the different parts of a space transportation
system, the space shuttle and they learn about the launch sequence.
Presentation: Edible Rockets
3.07MB
Checklist: Edible Rockets
22KB
Geodesic Dome
Students build
a large dome structure using roles of newspaper, the integrity of the dome
is then tested with weights at the pinnacle of the dome. This module is
a practice in engineering, students work together in groups, they must follow
written directions and complete the task within a set time goal. The
students will learn that different shapes (square vs. triangle) have
different load carrying abilities. Once the students finish building their
dome, the dome will be tested by measuring how much external weight the top
of the dome can support. Domes on average are about 4 ft tall in the
middle and about 6 feet in diameter at the base. Some domes have held over
15 pounds!
Presentation: Geodesic Dome
2.24MB Spanish Version
2.27MB
Module: Geodesic Dome
1.04MB
Spanish Version 1.06MB
Checklist: Geodesic Dome
12KB
Spanish Version 39KB
Handout: Building Directions
60KB
Spanish Version 75KB
Handout: Volunteer Preparation14KB
Spanish Version 39KB
Handout: Student Worksheet
24KB
Human Satellite
Using an assortment of materials, students will learn about the parts of a
satellite, then they will build their own satellite based on what they have
learned. By making connections between the functions of human body parts and
the functions of satellite parts, students will understand the basics of how
a satellite works and why each of its parts are essential.
Students will decide on a mission for their specific satellite and will explain why all of its parts are necessary to make that mission a
success.
Presentation: Human Satellite
2.74MB Spanish Version
2.52MB
Module: Human Satellite
2.72MB
Spanish Version 2.21MB
Checklist: Human Satellite
11KB
Spanish Version 39KB
Worksheet: Satellite Mission
254KB
Spanish Version 254KB
Handout: Human Body Diagram
92KB
Spanish Version 100KB
Handout: Volunteer Preparation
16KB
Spanish Version 41KB
Lego Capsule Challenge
(LC2)
Students
build a light weight Lego structure around a light bulb so that the light
bulb can survive a drop off of a balcony. The goal is to make the lightest
structure, to recover an unbroken bulb, and to have their recovered bulb
work.
Presentation: Lego Capsule
Challenge 7.5MB
Module: Lego Capsule Challenge
1.28MB Spanish Version
1.31MB
Checklist: Lego Capsule Challenge
11KB
Handout: Lego Drop Building Techniques
4.5MB
Spanish Version 4.53MB
Handout: Team Worksheet
10KB
Spanish Version
10KB
Handout: Team Results
6KB
Spanish Version
12KB
Handout: Volunteer Preparation
7KB
Living in Space
The students learn about what is needed to
survive in space and on another planet, and how to work together to create an environment that will allow
everyone to survive. A scenario will be created in which the students will
have to save themselves by learning what they need to survive. By being
placed on another planet, they will learn that not every planet has the same
resources and how important pre-trip planning is for astronauts.
Presentation: Living in Space
1.41MB Spanish Version
1.45MB
Module: Living in Space
2.68MB
Spanish Version 2.66MB
Checklist: Living in Space
12KB
Spanish Version 23KB
Handout: Planet Profiles
462KB
Spanish Version 431KB
Handout: Obstacle Cards
168KB
Spanish Version 184KB
Handout: Student Survival Checklist
78KB
Spanish Version 78KB
Handout: Volunteer Preparation
14KB
Spanish Version 26KB
Lunar Observations:
Craters and Core Samples
Students create craters in a flour
and cocoa powder mixture using small spheres (bouncy balls, marbles), then
students take a core sample of an unidentified candy bar. This module teaches students about
the Moon and how its distinctive craters were formed. Students will
also learn how surface core samples provide information about the history of
a planet and its makeup. Students use basic measuring tools, graphing,
and math as well as scientific inquiry by comparison. Students are
introduced to the concepts of gravity and velocity by seeing the
relationship between the height and the size of a crater and are introduced
to the geological study of planets up close and from afar.
Presentation: Craters and Core Samples
8.99MB
Module: Craters
43KB
Module: Core Samples
34KB
Checklist: Craters and Core Samples
12KB
Handout: Student Worksheet
87KB
Navigation
Extravaganza
Students learn how a GPS hand-held receiver can calculate longitude and
latitude of a specific location on Earth. Students work on two activities, "Trilateration" and "It's About Time". They will use simple mathematical
equations to pinpoint an unknown location using three other known locations
on a map and to find how far an object has traveled using only time.
Presentation:
Navigation Extravaganza 2.29MB
Module: Navigation Extravaganza
37KB
Spanish Version 37KB
Checklist: Navigation Extravaganza
11KB
Spanish Version 36KB
Handout: Trilateration Worksheet
129KB
Spanish Version 129KB
Handout: It's About Time Worksheet
21KB
Spanish Version 36KB
Operation: Communication
In this module
students are introduced to satellites and how they communicate. They learn
about radio waves and how satellites send photo images to ground control.
Students will use the idea of sharing information via radio waves by sending
bits of information at a time to complete an image. This activity
demonstrates how ground control sends a message to a satellite and how data,
such as pictures, can be sent back from the satellite to ground control.
Presentation: Operation
Communication 3.96MB
Module: Operation Communication
355KB
Spanish Version 378KB
Checklist: Operation Communication
12KB
Spanish Version 36KB
Handout: Mission Control Worksheet
20KB
Spanish Version 32KB
Handout: Volunteer Preparation
16KB
Spanish Version 41KB
Space Hardware
Challenge
This module encourages students to practice their observation and communication skills. One student at a time looks at an
unknown piece of Space Hardware made out of Lego pieces. The student must
then give verbal directions to
their teammates to recreate the artifact without using their hands or any
other physical cues.
Presentation:
Space Hardware 25.37MB
Module: Space Hardware
436 KB
Checklist: Space
Hardware 9KB
Space Shuttle Game
Similar to the Oregon Trail game, students must think about what
supplies are needed to survive travel in outer space. As a team, the
students discuss how much food, water, seeds, entertainment, repair, and
medicine they should take on their journey. Students take turns pulling
scenario cards and learn about the dangers of traveling through space.
Presentation: Space Shuttle
Game 3.12MB
Handout: Easy Game Rules
22KB
Handout: Easy Game Sheet
34KB
Handout: Hard Game Rules
23KB
Handout: Hard Game Sheet
33KB
Handout: Entertainment Risk Cards
34KB
Space Suits
This module teaches students about
space suits, their design, and about solar radiation. Students will
use scientific inquiry to make and test predictions. They will also be
introduce to the use of thermometers, the concept of a control, and forming
a hypothesis. This will lead to conclusions about solar radiation that
explain space suit design as well as physical observations on Earth.
Presentation:
Space Suits 3.07MB
Module: Space Suits
34KB
Checklist: Space Suits
12KB
Handout: Student Worksheet in
Fahrenheit 48KB
Handout: Student Worksheet in Celsius48KB
Spectroscopy
This activity is a practice in engineering that challenges the students to
construct a basic hand-held spectroscope using simple diffraction grating
and a paper tube. The students will learn the concepts of spectroscopy.
They will then build their own spectroscope and use their knowledge to
determine which element is in the gas tubes.
Presentation: Spectroscopy
24.24MB Spanish Version
8.67MB
Module: Spectroscopy
935KB Spanish Version
958KB
Checklist: Spectroscopy
11KB
Spanish Version
22KB
Handout: Spectroscope Build Directions
32KB
Spanish Version
46KB
Handout: Spectrum Coloring Worksheet
13KB
Spanish Version
10KB
Handout: Volunteer Preparation
16KB
Spanish Version
41KB
