NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators & Students
Grades: 3-5


This lesson will help your students answer the question:
How can I find and mine valuable resources from a simulated moon surface?

In this lesson, students will
-- Gather data by spectroscopically locating the simulated ilmenite.
-- Collect simulated ilmenite by mining the simulated lunar surface.
-- Gather data by using observations while extracting oxygen from the simulated ilmenite over time.
-- Develop a conclusion based upon the results of this simulation.
-- Compare individual results to class results to look for patterns.

Moon Mining Activity
>  For educators [808KB PDF file]
>  en español

>  For students [296KB PDF file]
>  en español

The Moon Mining Activity is the lesson that accompanies Why Return to the Moon Before Going to Mars?, one of the topics in the 21st Century Explorer series. Each exploration topic in NASA's Kids Science News Network™ 21st Century Explorer series has a 30-second newsbreak videoclip, online Web explanation (background information), hands-on activity guide based on national education standards, online glossary and quiz.

All components of Why Return to the Moon Before Going to Mars? are available on the 21st Century Explorer topic page  →.

Also in this series:
Those Who Have Come Before Me Activity
Food For Spaceflight Activity
Get a Leg Up Activity
Speed It Up Activity
Designing a Crew Exploration Vehicle Activity
What's Hidden Inside Activity
Let's Investigate Mars Activity
Cleaning Water Activity
Making Regolith Activity
Ray Shielding Activity
Cool Suits Activity