NASA Student Science Design Team An Extracurricular Activity
Johnson Elementary Magnet for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Grade Levels: 4th and 5th
About Us:
The entire team was notified of a special opportunity: The 2011 NASA Explorer School Student Symposium
About Us:
Required a scientific investigation Required a lot of outside classroom work. Required a virtual presentation with NASA engineers.
Only (4) students accepted this challenge!
Taniya
Lauryn
5th Grader
5th Grader Maurice
Jaelin
5th Grader
5th Grader
And we are ready to compete at the virtual symposium.
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Presentation Format (This PowerPoint is for viewing prior to presentation.)
Each team will: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Speak using their final project. Discuss their designs and their reasoning. Discuss their problems, constraints, and solutions. Discuss what NASA Careers are associated with this engineering project. 5. Discuss what they learned from participating in this engineering challenge.
Our Mission Our mission is to design a lunar plant growth chamber in order to provide an alternate source of food for future lunar settlements.
Our Challenge Design a lunar plant growth chamber that is stable enough to grow plants that can sustain life over an extended period of time. Our Process •Follow the engineering design process. •Brainstorm how to construct a stable chamber •Find solutions to our problems and constraints
Project Description (1 of 2)
Content Area:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Project Groupings: (2) Teams of 2 Students are using the engineering design process to design a lunar plant growth chamber for future lunar settlements.
Project Description (2 of 2) Each plant growth chamber had to include the following specifications: • Enclosed structure that permits sunlight to enter • Solar Power System • Water System • Electrical or Light System • Planting Area
Preparation Steps Students Researched Current NASA Lunar Plant Chambers and Hydroponic Systems
Preparation Steps Students gathered everyday materials for construction Chopsticks
Aluminum foil
Aluminum pans
Plastic tubing
Water bottles
plastic sheeting
old t-shirt (for wicks) Clear plastic bowls
Preparation Steps Understanding How Electrical Circuits Work
Students experimented with various types of batteries, metals, and light bulbs in order to design their lighting system
Preparation Steps Understanding How Electrical Circuits Work Students experimented with various types of batteries, metals, and light bulbs in order to design their lighting system
Watering System Each team will discuss their Hydroponic Watering System
Lighting System Each team will discuss their Lighting System
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Floor Plan – Aerial View (1 of 2) Maurice & Jaelin
Floor Plan – Side View (2 of 2) Maurice & Jaelin
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin Chose 2 Types of Watering Systems Using a wick or a tube
Traditional soda bottle wick system
Water Bottle w/ tubing and wick placed in a potting bowl
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin Electrical System
Team 1 Maurice and Jaelin
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Design Plan - Aerial View (1 of 2) Lauryn & Taniya
Design Plan – Side View (2 of 2) Lauryn & Taniya
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya Team chose to use a wick and tubing watering system
Water Bottle w/ tubing and wick placed in a (2) potting bowls
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya Team chose to use a battery operated lighting system
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya Team chose to use a black rocks to storage extra energy for the 14 days of night.
Team 2 Lauryn and Taniya
Team 1 and 2 Solar Power System Each team will discuss how they will operate their lighting system using solar power.
Project Constraints The team discussed the problems and constraints they encountered during the engineering process and how they found their solutions.
List of Problems & Constraints Each team will address the following issues they encountered in their presentation: •Time •Teacher Constraints •Students’ Personal Constraints •Team Member Constraints •Engineering Problems & Constraints
NASA Careers Each team will shared what NASA careers they feel would be associated with this design challenge.
What We Learned Each team will shared what they learned from being a part of the engineering project.
Why build lunar plant chambers? For future missions and possible lunar settlements. Will you be there?
Questions