DECEMBER ACTIVITIES COMING SOON

Welcome, Educators and Parents!

This November, we are thrilled to celebrate 25 years of human presence in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) — a remarkable achievement in science, technology, and international collaboration.

To honor this milestone, our monthly STEM packet invites curious young minds to explore engineering challenges inspired by real-life space missions. Each activity is designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork — all essential skills for future scientists and engineers.

Your child or students will take on the roles of space engineers and astronauts, engaging in three hands-on design challenges:

Blueprint-style poster for an engineering design challenge titled 'Building the ISS Truss,' featuring a depiction of the International Space Station truss structure and a satellite or space station module in space.

Concepts Learned:

• Structural engineering basics

• Strength through shapes (triangles resist bending)

• Load distribution in beams and frames

• How the ISS truss supports solar panels and connects modules

• Real-world engineering applications (bridges, towers, cranes, spacecraft)

Engineering Design Challenge: Build the ISS Truss

Skills Developed:

• Problem-solving through design testing

• Fine motor skills (cutting, connecting, balancing)

• Measurement and precision

• Critical thinking about structural stability

• Collaboration and teamwork

• Persistence and resilience through redes

Poster for the Engineering Design Challenge featuring the ISS Robotic Arm, with an illustration of a robotic arm in space against a night sky with stars, a crescent moon, and solar panels.

Engineering Design Challenge: Design a Robotic Arm

Concepts Learned:

• Simple machines (levers, pivots, hinges)

• Mechanical engineering basics

• How astronauts use Canadarm2 on the ISS

• Translating human motion into a mechanical device

• Real-world robotics in manufacturing, medicine, and space exploration

Skills Developed:

• Designing moving parts for a specific task

• Understanding motion, rotation, and grip

• Sequencing and planning build steps

• Creativity in solving functional problems

• Team collaboration (designing and testing together)

• Precision control to handle delicate object

Illustration of a satellite orbiting earth, promoting an engineering design challenge about docking at a space station.

Engineering Design Challenge: Docking at the Space Station

Concepts Learned:

• Orbital movement and how docking works

• Precision control and gentle contact in space

• Use of thrusters, sensors, and cameras for alignment

• Real-world astronaut training for manual and automated docking

• The importance of teamwork and communication in space missions

Skills Developed:

• Hand-eye coordination for precise movement

• Spatial awareness and target alignment

• Strategic thinking and adjustment based on results

• Patience and controlled speed under pressure

• Perseverance through repeated trials

• Analytical thinking to improve each attempt

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