Space Lander: STEM At Home Activity

Originally Posted: May 6, 2020
Updated: May 2024

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.

How to participate:

1. Download the student handouts found in our Free Explorer Lesson Library. The file can be printed or used with Google Slides.

2. Watch the video posted below for science content, engineering design tips, and an in-depth explanation by a real engineer!

3. Post your design using #𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 and TAG US on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! We will share our favorites!

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.

Download the activity guide found in our Free Explorer Lesson Library. The file can be printed or used with Google Slides.

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Space Lander STEM Challenge

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.

Before starting the video, download the student handouts found in our Free Explorer Lesson Library.

Additional Resources:

Need a more in-depth STEM activity guide? Check out Vivify’s Space Lander classroom guide that includes a Mission to Moon or Mission to Mars story line, STEM career connections, and material modifications for elementary and middle school grades. (The Space Lander digital bundles include digital and printed STEM journals for classroom and distance learning.)

• Space Lander: Elementary

• Space Lander: Middle School & up (also includes math extension problems)

• Check out these awesome NASA links and videos:

  • NASA Space Place

  • NASA Kids Club

  • NASA 2020: Are You Ready?

  • NASA At Mars

  • Meet the Mars 2020 Rover Perseverance 

  • 7 Minutes of Terror

• Want to learn more about astronauts?

  • What do Astronauts Do?

  • Becoming Astronauts: Are You Next?

  • Imagine You’re an Astronaut

Good luck engineers! We can’t wait to see your landers! Don’t forget to post your design using #𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!