Lunar Plant Growth Chamber Educator Guide

Big Idea: The engineering design process is a comprehensive, valuable tool that can be used to provide solutions to complex challenges, on Earth and beyond.
Plant growth will be an important part of space exploration in the future as NASA plans for long-duration missions to the moon. NASA scientists anticipate that astronauts may be able to grow plants on the moon, and the plants could be used to supplement meals.
In anticipation of the need for research into lunar plant growth, NASA and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association, or ITEEA, present the NASA Engineering Design Challenge. Students design, build and evaluate lunar plant growth chambers – while engaging in research- and standards-based learning experiences. Students participate in the engineering design process and learn how to conduct a scientific experiment.
Lunar Plant Growth Chamber Educator Guide [3.5MB PDF file]
This educator guide is part of the Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber.
More Guides in the Human Exploration Project Series
Elementary
Moon Munchies – Lunar Plant Growth Chamber (Grades K-4)
Moon Power – Energy and Power (Grades 1-5)
Middle School
Lunar Colonization – Energy and Power (Grade 6)
Packing Up for the Moon – Lunar Plant Growth Chamber (Grades 5-8)
Creating a Space Exploration Infrastructure – Transportation (Grade 7)
Space Transportation: Reshooting the Moon – Transportation (Grade 8)
High School
Engineering Design for Human Exploration – Energy and Power (Grades 9-12)
NASA: Moving Cargo – Transportation (Grade 9)
Transportation and Space: Reuse and Recycle – Transportation (Grades 10-12)