A STEM-Maker Level 2 Lesson for Creative Fluency

The study of space travel andspace habitation.

Understanding the challenges of space exploration, including zero-gravity, time and distance, and lack of essential life support systems.

Researching possible solutions for sustaining life on other planets, moons, or other celestial elements.

Designing space transportation systems, space communications, and space habitats that support human life.

Understanding and applying laws of motion, fluid mechanics,and conservation.

Introduction

STEM-MakerCurriculum

Turn Any Space Into a STEM Lab Aerospace Engineering:

This STEM design and engineering challenge is appropriate for middle and senior high school levels and is recommended for students working in pairs or small teams up to four students. This project is designed to promote creative thinking, problem solving, innovation, and invention, and provides an excellent applied learning experience for all STEM students.

Context and Rationale

Space PortDesign and Engineering Challenge

STEM Challenge

RESA Space Port ProjectThe Rokenbok Exploratory Space Agency (RESA) is in the process of developing plans for a space colony on the planet of Mars over thenext ten years.

Since the NASA Space Shuttle program was cancelled, it has become necessary for RESA to design and develop a new, next-generation interplanetary space transport vehicle capable of carrying large payloads of equipment and material from Earth to Mars.

This new inter-planetary space transport vehicle will require a new Space Port to be designed and built here on Earth that will support frequent launching of the new RESA Space Transport vehicle.

Your aerospace design team has been selected to design and build a scale model of the new RESA Space Port. The new space port must be designed to transport the RESA Space Transport from a storage hangar to the launch pad safely. The transfer system should be able to tilt the RESA Space transport from the horizontal to vertical position.

Time is of the essence and your team must work together to prepare your scale model for presentation to the Rokenbok Exploratory Space Agency at their next planning meeting.

ResourcesFor this challenge, you are limited to using the various building components in yourRokenbok Education ROK Ed Rover and other materials that may be provided by your instructor.

1

Aerospace Engineering: space port

Aerospace Engineering - Space PortTo gain a better understanding of aerospace engineering concepts, the following resource materials are recommended to accompany this design brief project:

Text Engineering Fundamentals, ISBN 978-1-61960-220-5, Chapter 13: Aerospace Engineering, pages 259 - 280 http://www.g-wonlinetextbooks.com/engineering-fundamentals-2014/17

Online Key Search Terms aerospace engineering launch pad Newtons Laws Cape Canaveral rockets solid rocket fuel

STEM Challenge

2

The RESA Space Port should include a storage hangar, a mobile transfer vehicle, and a launch pad designed to support the RESA Space Transport.

The mobile transfer vehicle should be designed to allow the RESA Space Transport to be stored in a horizontal position until it is ready to be placed in launch position on the launch pad. The mobile transfer system should be designed to allow the RESA Space Transport to be tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position for launching into space.

The RESA Space Port should be designed to accept the RESA Space Transport configuration and hold it into position by at least two retractable launch pins that will be released at launch.

The RESA Space Port should be designed to fit in a 24 x 24 x 24 cube.

All elements of RESA Space Port should be of appropriate scale and proportion to each other.

Your team should also prepare to deliver a multimedia presentation to the RESA about the merits of your Space Port model and design.

EvaluationStudents will be evaluated on the following criteria: Creativity and Design Functionality of Designed Unit Time Management and Teamwork Successful Completion of the Challenge Adherence to Constraints/Criteria

Use the Rokenbok Universal Performance Rubric for evaluation. Available for download at Rokenbok.com/Education

ConstraintsTo successfully complete this STEM Design and Engineering Challenge, the following constraints and specifications must be followed:

Aerospace Engineering: space port

350-00995-001

STEM Concepts Aerospace Engineering: space port

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ScienceStudents will use and reinforce these Science concepts: Simple Machines including Levers, Pulleys, and Inclined Planes Balance and Equilibrium Weight and Mass Payloads Astrophysics

Technology and EngineeringStudents will use and reinforce these Technology and Engineering concepts: Prototyping and Modeling Invention and Innovation Structural Integrity/Strength Brainstorming and Problem Solving Trial and Error Engineering Concepts

MathStudents will use and reinforce these Math concepts: Calculating Size, Area, Volume, and Distance Calculating Geometric Shapes Linear Measurement and Scaling Techniques Measuring Thrust and Drag Measuring Mass and Weight

StandardsThis Design Challenge is based on the following national standards: The Next Generation Science Standards Common Core Standards Standards for Technological Literacy Endorsed by the International STEM Education Association