NASA Lunar Growth Chamber Engineering Design Project

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