Design a Lunar Colony: Game + STEM Project Guide (Mission to Moon)

Can you keep colonists alive and thriving on the Moon? NASA is working on the future of human space exploration, and your students have been selected to design the first permanent Lunar habitat! Students work in teams to complete the ultimate project-based learning STEM experience: designing and building a model of a new manned Lunar settlement. This is a perfect showcase or capstone STEM project.

• Project-based learning

• Real-world STEM Connection

• Debate technologies and mental health considerations

• Multi-disciplinary

• Gamification element

Students will apply scientific concepts, math skills, critical thinking, research, and engineering design to plan a long-term Lunar colony. Students will need to consider questions like: How will colonists get food and water? How will we power the colony? What are the dangers of the Moon? How will the human body react to lower gravity? Where will colonists live and work?

Part 1: Identify the Problem (2 sessions)

• Reflect on Life on Earth

• Explore the Challenges of Living on the Moon

Part 2: Brainstorm Solutions (1 session) - Lunar Colony Planning Game

• Play the interactive planning game where students must choose the best solutions for critical components such as power, oxygen, water, food, hygiene, and exercise.

• Game cards are based on real-world NASA technologies.

• Students will identify the pros and cons and track the budget, power, and happiness of the crew.

Part 3: Design Colony Layout (2 sessions): Moon Layout

• Using the solutions from the planning game, teams create a colony layout by cutting out grid paper to represent each "zone" of the settlement.

• The zones are arranged to create a functional design.

Part 4: Build Colony Model (3+ sessions)

• Students learn about scale models and build a model of the a Lunar colony to represent each solution accurately.

• Additional research is conducted for each solution.

Part 5: Present Model (2 sessions)

• Create a trifold board and share the final model with the class or host your own Moon Colony Showcase!

Included in this Unit:

• Detailed teacher guide with links to resources

• Photos of student projects

• Editable teacher instructional slides

• Editable student handouts

• Printable Game Boards + Solution Cards