Unit Overview

Kids engineer rockets and rovers to explore several planets and moons in our solar system.

  • Grades 3–5
  • Setting: Out of school
  • Science connection: Forces and motion
  • 8 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 a tower and are introduced to the Engineering Design Process as a problem-solving tool.

Kids explore the idea that they, as engineers, can design and improve technology.

Kids are introduced to rockets, rovers, and stomp rocket launchers. They test how weight affects how rockets fly.

Groups test rocket variables and share their data.

Groups pick a destination and create their rovers.

Groups plan and engineer their model rockets.

Groups offer improvement advice to each other and then improve and complete their rockets.

Kids present the rockets and rovers they engineered and share their knowledge of the Engineering Design Process.

What's Included?

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