(Moon) Rock, Paper, Scissors, Spaceship!

Target Age Group
Middle School or High School

Ojbective
Students will understand the complexity of historical moon rockets and future lunar exploration vehicles by assembling their own paper models.

You will need
computer with internet access, printer, razor blade or hobby knife, glue, adult to help

What to do
1. First go to this website for an overview of the amazingly detailed, accurate 3D paper models you have to choose from. Choose a model that you would like to build and learn about.

2. Warning: These are serious models. You will need an adult to help you use a razor blade or hobby knife in order to cut out the parts. You’ll also need some good fine motor skills to assemble these and some are fairly difficult to build. Finally, consider yourself warned that building these models is really fun, so once you’ve built one, you’re going to want to build another one.

3. Here are some favorites we recommend:
Historical Lunar Module. Build a model of the historic lunar module that landed the first humans on the Moon. Back in the 60’s the Gulf Oil Company distributed a cardboard model of the Lunar Module that was an instant hit. The authors of this website have enhanced this model to make it easier to build and more authentic in appearance.
Future Heavy Lift Launcher for Moon Exploration. Build the modern equivalent of the Saturn V intended to launch the Moon lander and the upper stage that boosts the lander and Crew Exploration Vehicle to 7 miles per second for translunar Injection.
Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). Build a model of the Crew Exploration Vehicle which will carry astronaut crews to the Space Station, the Moon, the asteroids and beyond.
Launcher for CEV. Build a model of the launcher that lofts the CEV into Earth orbit at 5 miles per second.

4. Download and print the model pattern you have chosen. Step-by-step instructions are on the website. But don’t just stop with the model. Find out all you can about real lunar vehicles of the past, present and future. Create a museum sign for your model explaining it to people who come by to see it.

What's Going On
Everything you need to understand this activity is included on the website. This model-building activity is a starting point for related activities in science, engineering and social studies. Special thanks to Jonathan Leslie and the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Learning Center, Airmont, NY, for sharing these wonderful models at no charge.

Download complete guide as [PDF ]