Description
"Houston, we have a problem!" Challenge your students to become NASA engineers with this Apollo 13 Egg Drop Project. This high-engagement STEM simulation tasks students with building a lunar capsule strong enough to survive a "re-entry" fall back to Earth.
Designed by a middle-level educator (Grades 5–8), this resource perfectly integrates physical science concepts like forces and gravity with the historic drama of the Apollo 13 mission.
The Mission:
Your students' goal is to land their spacecraft successfully while keeping their "astronaut" (the egg) entirely free of cracks or damage.
What’s Included?
Guided Design Process: A multi-page student packet that leads them through:
- Prototyping: Space to sketch and label two different design ideas before selecting a final version.
- Strategic Planning: Questions that force students to defend their material choices and strategy.
- Revision & Testing: A dedicated "Testing & Revision" section where students must identify at least one improvement for their final build.
- Physics Reflection: Post-activity questions that connect the project to real-world concepts like Forces, Air Resistance, and Gravity.
Constraints & Materials List: Clear guidelines to keep the challenge rigorous, including a specific "Drop Gap" size restriction.
Editable Canva Access: Customize the materials list, restrictions, or reflection questions to fit your specific classroom needs using the provided Canva link.
Suggested Materials (Zero Prep for You!):
This project is designed to use common classroom supplies:
- Toilet Paper & Napkins
- Ziplock Bags & String
- Popsicle Sticks & Straws
- Tape & Scissors
🚀 Ultimate Space Unit Bundle
This project is even better when paired with my Apollo 13 Mission Reading & Questions! Use the reading to build background knowledge on the engineering failures of the real mission, then launch right into this hands-on simulation.
Terms of Use
Individual Use: This resource is for the buyer's individual classroom use only.
Editable: You are welcome to customize the materials in Canva for your personal teaching style
Highlights
Description
"Houston, we have a problem!" Challenge your students to become NASA engineers with this Apollo 13 Egg Drop Project. This high-engagement STEM simulation tasks students with building a lunar capsule strong enough to survive a "re-entry" fall back to Earth.
Designed by a middle-level educator (Grades 5–8), this resource perfectly integrates physical science concepts like forces and gravity with the historic drama of the Apollo 13 mission.
The Mission:
Your students' goal is to land their spacecraft successfully while keeping their "astronaut" (the egg) entirely free of cracks or damage.
What’s Included?
Guided Design Process: A multi-page student packet that leads them through:
- Prototyping: Space to sketch and label two different design ideas before selecting a final version.
- Strategic Planning: Questions that force students to defend their material choices and strategy.
- Revision & Testing: A dedicated "Testing & Revision" section where students must identify at least one improvement for their final build.
- Physics Reflection: Post-activity questions that connect the project to real-world concepts like Forces, Air Resistance, and Gravity.
Constraints & Materials List: Clear guidelines to keep the challenge rigorous, including a specific "Drop Gap" size restriction.
Editable Canva Access: Customize the materials list, restrictions, or reflection questions to fit your specific classroom needs using the provided Canva link.
Suggested Materials (Zero Prep for You!):
This project is designed to use common classroom supplies:
- Toilet Paper & Napkins
- Ziplock Bags & String
- Popsicle Sticks & Straws
- Tape & Scissors
🚀 Ultimate Space Unit Bundle
This project is even better when paired with my Apollo 13 Mission Reading & Questions! Use the reading to build background knowledge on the engineering failures of the real mission, then launch right into this hands-on simulation.
Terms of Use
Individual Use: This resource is for the buyer's individual classroom use only.
Editable: You are welcome to customize the materials in Canva for your personal teaching style
