NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Engineering Units and Lessons

Aeronautics Unit

Lesson	Description	Prep Time	Lesson Time Needed	Complexity
Getting Off the Ground Into the Smart Skies!	Computer-based mathematics-focused introduction into the Air Traffic Control system. Using the Smart Skies: Line up with Math activity, students learn how NASA engineers use air traffic control simulations to make flying safer and more efficient.	1 Hour	2 Hours	Moderate
Getting the Drop on Flight with the X Planes	Students learn how small scale models developed with simple materials can result in new aircraft and future space launch vehicles.	1 Hour	1.5 Hours	Moderate
Learning The Wright Way to Fly!	Students construct 3 different kite models and predict the most effective design. Design and test and aircraft given several parameters and explain how early flight was influenced by kites.	1 Hour	2.5 Hours	Moderate

Challenges Unit

Lesson	Description	Prep Time	Lesson Time Needed	Complexity
Electrodynamic Propulsion	Activity challenges students to solve a real-world problem that is part of the space program using creativity, cleverness, and scientific knowledge, while learning about electricity, magnetism, forces, and energy transfer.	4-6 Hours	Twelve 45-Minute Sessions	Advanced
On Target Challenge	Students design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two "astronauts" when they land.	15-30 Minutes	1 Hour	Basic
Spacecraft Structures	Activity challenges students to solve a real-world problem that is part of the space program using creativity, cleverness, and scientific knowledge, while learning about forces, structures, and energy transfer.	4-8 Hours	Six 45-Minute Sessions	Moderate
Thermal Protection Systems Challenge	Activity challenges students to solve a real-world problem that is part of the space program while learning about heat and heat transfer.	4-8 Hours	Seven 45-Minute Sessions	Advanced

Design Process Unit

Lesson	Description	Prep Time	Lesson Time Needed	Complexity
Build A Solar Oven	Engineering Design Challenge to design and build a solar box cooker, and test it out to see if it works well enough to make S ‘mores.	1 Hour	1 Hour	Basic
Lunar Plant Growth Chamber	Activity to grow plants in an environment similar to the moon designed in a unique partnership between NASA scientists and engineers and education professionals.	3 Hours	12-18 Days	Advanced
Make a Balloon Powered Nanorover	Design and build a robotic rover with cardboard and a balloon.	40 Minutes	1 Hour	Moderate
Mars Pathfinder Egg Drop Challenge	Design, build and drop your "Pathfinder" from a high place and see if your payload (egg) survives.	20 Minutes	45 Minutes-1.5 Hours	Moderate
Project X51 -- Water rocket Construction	Students form "rocket companies" and compete in a commercial endeavor to construct a rocket capable of lifting payloads into Earth orbit.	2 Hours	2 Weeks	Moderate
Spaghetti Anyone? - Building with Pasta	Engineering design process to build a structure to handle the greatest load. Gain firsthand experience with compression and tension forces.	15 Minutes	1.5 Hours	Basic
Student Glovebox -- Droplet Investigation of Liquids	An inquiry-based technology lesson to construct a sealed container with built-in gloves and to explore the properties of liquids.	1 Hour	4-8 Hours	Moderate
Water Filtration System	Lesson challenges students to create and test a water filtering system. The activities in this lesson focus on water recovery and management.	1 Hour	5-6 Hours	Moderate

Exploration Unit

Lesson	Description	Prep Time	Lesson Time Needed	Complexity
Crew Exploration Vehicle	Students design and build a Crew Exploration Vehicle that will carry two cm-sized passengers safely and will fit within a certain volume (size limitation).	15-30 Minutes	1-2 Hours	Intermediate
Landing a Rover	Teams' challenge is to design and build a model of a Lunar Transport Rover that will carry equipment and people on the surface of the Moon.	30-60 Minutes	3 One-Hour Sessions	Intermediate
Moon Rovers	Students will design and build a rubber band-powered rover that can scramble across the room.	15-30 Minutes	1 Hour	Basic
NASA Simulations	Students use NASA web-based simulators to follow sequenced directions and complete ordered tasks while learning how the shuttle is made ready for flight, how the shuttle docks with the International Space Station, how the shuttle lands, and how NASA retrieves the solid rocket boosters.	15-30 Minutes	1 Hour	Basic

Robotics Unit

Lesson	Description	Prep Time	Lesson Time Needed	Complexity
Robotics -- Hands Down!	Lesson includes a series of activities that are based on Robotics applications.	20 Minutes	3 Hours	Basic
Using Robotics	Students simulate operating a planetary rover and problem solve solutions. Work within a mission team setting to problem solve and accomplish a common goal, and research examples of real world applications of robotics.	20 Minutes	3 Hours	Moderate

Rocketry Unit

Lesson	Description	Prep Time	Lesson Time Needed	Complexity
Heavy Lifting Air Engines	Students use balloons to demonstrate concepts applied by jet and rocket engines to supply thrust for movement.	30 Minutes	1-2 Hours	Basic
Nose Cone Aerodynamics	Students compare the aerodynamic features of different nose cone designs.	30 Minutes	1 Hour	Moderate
Ride the Wind: Compressed Air Rocketry	Students construct rockets from simple materials to test engineering designs that affect the dynamics of flight.	30 Minutes	2 Hours	Moderate

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