Learners will construct and test launch a paper rocket model and predict its motion. They will launch their rocket multiple times, make observations, and record the distance it traveled. They will have the opportunity to answer a research question... (View More) by collecting and analyzing data related to finding out the best nose cone length and predicting the motion of their model rockets. The lesson is part of the Mars Education Program series; it models the engineering design process using the 5E instructional model and includes teacher notes, vocabulary, student journal and reading. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are listed. (View Less)

Learners will brainstorm ideas to be developed into a team skit, work cooperatively to assign duties and write a team skit, and collaborate with team members to complete the Mars Rover Manual. The lesson uses the 5E instructional model and includes:... (View More) TEKS Details (Texas Standards alignment), Essential Question, Science Notebook, Vocabulary Definitions for Students, Vocabulary Definitions for Teachers, three Vocabulary Cards, the Manual Template, and a presentation writing Mini-Lesson. This is lesson 14 of the Mars Rover Celebration Unit, a six week long curriculum. (View Less)

Learners will design and built a prototype robot. This is lesson 14 of 16 in the MarsBots learning module. This lesson is adapted from "Edible Mars Spacecraft," by Amalia Plummer and Tricia Dieck, which was adapted from Jean Settle's "Edible... (View More) Rockets" and "Edible Space Stations" activities. (View Less)

In this concluding activity, learners will use notes from an earlier lesson to write a nonfiction piece about Saturn or Cassini. These final projects provide a way for children with varying learning styles to consolidate and share their learning.... (View More) This is lesson 12 of 12 in the Mission to Saturn Educators Guide, Reading Writing Rings, for grades 3-4. (View Less)

This is a lesson about radiation and the use of the scientific method to solve problems of too much radiation. Learners will build snow goggles similar to those used by the Inuit (designed to block unwanted light, while increasing the viewer's... (View More) ability to see in a bright region) to understand some of the engineering challenges encountered while protecting the solar cells on the Mercury MESSENGER. This is Lesson 2 of 4 at the middle level in the module, Staying Cool. (View Less)

This is a lesson about spacecraft design. Learners will hear the NASA solutions to the problems they wrote about in an earlier lesson. They will then write a nonfiction piece comparing their spacecraft to Cassini, and share their writing with the... (View More) class. This introduction to design prepares students for the task of trying to design a working model of a probe to land on Saturn’s moon, Titan. This is lesson 7 of 12 in the Mission to Saturn Educators Guide, Reading Writing Rings, for grades 3-4. (View Less)