Unit Overview

Kids learn about space hazards and engineer part of a space suit for a new NASA mission!

  • Grades 3–5
  • Setting: Out of school
  • Science connection: Material properties
  • 9 activities
  • 45 minutes per activity

Standards alignment

We’ve developed each EiE unit with careful attention to educational standards in both science and technology/engineering. View Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Kids engineer an index card tower that can support a stuffed animal.

Kids discuss the definition of technology and engineer a solution to solve a problem.

Kids explore the features of different gloves and how they perform in a series of challenges. Kids then are introduced to the concept of space hazards and spacesuit design.

Kids test and compare different materials to see which ones work best to protect against cold temperatures.

Kids test and compare how well different materials protect against impact hazards, specifically damage from heavy moving objects.

Kids test and compare how dust resistant different materials are.

Kids plan, create, and test their model space gloves in one of three Mission Simulations to see how well the gloves protect against the hazards of space.

Kids improve their model space gloves and test them in a final Mission Simulation.

Kids present their designs and share how they used the Engineering Design Process to engineer model space gloves suited for their chosen mission.

What's Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Engineering Journal (PDF)
  • Context-Setting Audio Messages (.mp3)
  • Print Materials (PDF)
  • Additional Resources