Zip Line STEM Activity - Moon and Mars Mission (Elementary)

lesson overview

Your mission: Save a hurt astronaut with the use of a zipline! Includes a Moon and Mars version.

Supports Distance Learning: Editable Google Slides for a digital STEM Journal

Science background: Students first learn about the science of zip lines including center of gravity and the forces acting on the vehicle such as friction and gravity. These concepts help inform the vehicle designs.

Engineering Challenge: Using common materials such as craft sticks, paper, and tape, students then design a vehicle to carry an astronaut (ping pong ball) to safety down a zipline! A full teacher guide includes links to videos, photos of student projects, and resources. The packet also include handouts to guide your students through the engineering design process to solve the challenge.

STEM Real-World Connections: The challenge follows a story line of either a Moon or Mars mission. Handouts cover current events of NASA's Mission to the Moon and Mars. The student packet also includes STEM career highlights of transportation engineering and soil scientist.

Our students loved this activity! We included differentiation for grades K - 5 to make this challenge adaptable for various skill levels. Also included are activities to take this challenge further with zip line races and more!

As with many STEM activities that are student-driven, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities.

Included in this product:

• Detailed teachers guide with links to resources

• Grading rubric for the engineering design process

• STEM Career Connections

• Real-world STEM history and science handouts

• Editable student handouts to guide them through the engineering design process

• Editable Google Slides for a STEM Journal

• Instructional STEM video

• Editable teacher slides

Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide

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