Spaceship Landing on Its Feet

Space travel has captured imaginations for generations. Combine creativity and problem solving to construct a 3-D spaceship. Plan a voyage that’s out of this world!

• 1.

  Could life exist on planets other than Earth? In other solar systems? What would it be like to travel to these planets and search for life? What would your spaceship need to take you into space and deliver you safely back home again? Work in small groups to design a ship for space travel.

• 2.

  Carefully plan each aspect of your trip into outer space. Design your spaceship to meet all the needs for your trip. Do you need a rocket booster for take-off, landing gear for smooth landings, an extra room for any guests you pick up during your travel? Be creative when deciding on the functions for and decoration of your ship.

• 3.

  Decorate several Crayola Neon Color Explosion® Papers using Neon Color Explosion Markers. Use them to build your 3-D spaceship. Select different marker tips for various effects. Decorate both sides of the paper.

• 4.

  Add dimension to make your structure look realistic. For example, cut thin strips and wrap them around a marker barrel to make curls. Make cuts along the edges and fold up fringe so color on the back side shows. Use chenille stems to connect parts or make antennae. Attach foam pieces for details and decoration. Glue and tape your spaceship together. Air-dry before handling.

• 5.

  With your group, prepare an oral presentation explaining your travel plans, design criteria, and spaceship features.

Benefits

• Students design and build a 3-D space ship containing features they believe are important for traveling in space.
• Students develop sequential thinking and problem-solving skills as they plan the various elements of their trip through outer space (take off, travel, landing).
• Students orally present their travel plans and design features of their space ship.

Adaptations

• Students work in small groups to design a series of spaceships that are meant to travel together. Have them decide and describe what the specialty of each spaceship should be and its unique function within their fleet.
• Research the history of space travel from early perspectives on outer space, to the first space missions such as Sputnik and Apollo, as well as modern-day space travel aboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
• Write stories about a trip through outer space. What was the best part? What was hardest? What problems were solved? Did the crew encounter any civilizations? If so, how were they like human beings and how were they different?
• Assessment: Did students utilize the unique qualities of Color Surge products when creating their spaceship? Did students’ spaceship features match with their stated design criteria? Was care and attention given to the oral presentations? How well did the students work together to create a cohesive project?