Orbital Mission: Space-Themed STEM Unit for the Classroom (Middle School STEM)
Transform your classroom into a team of astronauts on an Orbital Mission! This STEM curriculum begins with Stage 1 team challenges that build teamwork and communication skills. Students then work through Stage 2 engineering design challenges. Units are aligned to science and math standards along with a different career focus.
Grades: 5th - 8th
Teaching Duration: 9 - 12 weeks
Transform your classroom into a team of astronauts on an Orbital Mission! This STEM curriculum begins with Stage 1 team challenges that build teamwork and communication skills. Students then work through Stage 2 engineering design challenges. Units are aligned to science and math standards along with a different career focus.
Grades: 5th - 8th
Teaching Duration: 9 - 12 weeks
Transform your classroom into a team of astronauts on an Orbital Mission! This STEM curriculum begins with Stage 1 team challenges that build teamwork and communication skills. Students then work through Stage 2 engineering design challenges. Units are aligned to science and math standards along with a different career focus.
Grades: 5th - 8th
Teaching Duration: 9 - 12 weeks
“I am never disappointed (neither are my students!) in any of the Vivify STEM challenges I have purchased!”
Orbital Mission - Middle School STEM Unit:
This space exploration unit takes students on an exciting journey through STEM with real-world engineering challenges inspired by NASA missions. The Orbital Mission includes mmersive lessons that blend science, math, and engineering while building teamwork, problem-solving, and design thinking skills.
Orbital Mission STEM Unit includes:
Meet the Crew: Mission Patch + Sparks
Astronaut Health: Heart Rate Health + Exercise Equipment Design Challenge
Get to Orbit: Straw Rocket Engineering Challenge
Emergency in Space: Space Docking Team Activity + Robot Tool Challenge
Working in Space: Design an Experiment in Space
Eating in Space: Plan a Menu for Space
Returning Home: Heat Shield Challenge
Mission Success: Celebrate with atomic slime or exploring the night sky!
Each lesson includes:
Step-by-step teacher guide with photos
Storyline led by Astronaut Alex
Instructional slides with exciting videos connecting to NASA missions
Student mission sheets with real-world connections and photos
Supply list with links
Alignment to NGSS and TEKS (Texas)
Unit Highlights:
Apply the Engineering Design Process in authentic space-based scenarios that connect to NASA and real-world spac emissions
Promote collaboration through team-based projects
Integrate real-world STEM careers such as aerospace engineer, mission control specialist, and food scientist
Perfect for STEM classrooms, Gifted & Talented programs, or space-themed enrichment camps and clubs
