What children explored
Exploring Space and Impact
Children explored concepts related to space by creating craters and observing how the size and speed of objects affect impact. They dropped different objects into flour and cocoa powder mixtures from different heights and recorded the crater sizes, connecting physical observation to the science of impact craters on the moon.
They learned about energy, gravity, and motion, applying their understanding while designing and building lunar landers. The challenge: build a lander that could touch down without breaking its payload. Children additionally explored the solar system and developed an understanding of Earth's place within it.
Activities from this theme
What children made and tested
How Are Craters Formed?
Children dropped objects of different sizes and weights from different heights into a surface of flour and cocoa, observing the crater shapes and sizes. They discussed how speed, mass, and angle all affect impact.
Lunar Lander Challenge
Children designed and built lunar landers using cardboard, foam, and other materials. The lander had to protect a small payload when dropped. They tested, observed failures, redesigned, and tested again.
Gallery
From the session
The Book
Paired read-aloud
Mars’ First Friends
A read-aloud about imagination and facts about Mars. Children learned about planetary features, atmosphere and climate, geology, water, exploration, and the future of human settlement. By blending imagination and information, the lesson plan was built on deeper understanding of both fiction and non-fiction facts about planets, friendship, and scientific discovery.