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Free Lesson

The Next Giant Leap

Explore the seven phases of Lunar exploration.

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Grade Level 3-9

Earth and Space Science

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Explore the Moon

Engage your students in activities at different stations to learn about the seven phases of a lunar exploration: Preparing for launch, rocket launching, lunar landing, the Moon phases, lunar geology, lava tube exploration, and programming a lunar rover.

The Next Giant Leap primarily focuses on Earth and space science themes, but it also integrates physical science and engineering topics. While developed for students in grades 3-9, these lessons can be adapted for all ages.

Each station has 1-2 activities. We encourage students to participate in all activities in order to fully experience the process of a Moon mission.

Lessons with an asterisk * use common household items.

Preparing for Launch*

Students build a model of the Orion spacecraft and balance the Launch Abort Vehicle.

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Rocket Launching

Students build paper rockets that can be launched using a stomp rocket launcher.

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Lunar Landing*

Students build a lunar lander equipped with a landing shock absorber.

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Phases of the Moon*

Students assemble a model from cups and paper that will help them understand the names of the Moon phases and how Moon phases occur.

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Lunar Geology

Students operate a robot arm to pick up and analyze lunar rocks to classify the mineral composition.

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Lava Tube Exploration*

Students drive and program a Sphero Robot to navigate through a pathway of cones, simulating the exploration of lunar lava tubes below the Moon’s surface.

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Programming a Lunar Rover*

Students assemble and program a rover to navigate and conduct experiments on the Moon’s surface. This lesson requires download of our free app, Challenger Rover, available for tablets only.

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  • Approximate program time: 2 hours

  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned

  • Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned

In Partnership

The Next Giant Leap is based upon work supported by NASA under agreement #NNX16AD70A. Any opinions, findings, conclusions and/or recommendations expressed in these materials are those of Challenger Center and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA.

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