Mission on the Moon – Program a classmate to complete a mission on the Moon

Brief description:

This activity will introduce students to logical thinking by planning, testing and executing a simple mission on the Moon.

Students will work in pairs and take it in turns to play the roles of “mission controller” and “rover”.

One student will give commands to enable the other to navigate blindly across the lunar surface. They will have to follow a set route to avoid obstacles, carry out missions and arrive safely at their destination.

Subject: Computing, Mathematics, Arts

Learning Objectives:

Understanding simple concepts of logical thinking.

Planning and testing simple tasks.

Understanding basic step by step programming.

Learning to communicate through role-play.

Reading grid references and providing clear and concise instructions to help navigate in the reference space.

Recognising the importance of clear communication.

Understanding the importance of teamwork.

Age range:

8-12 years old

Time

Lesson: 45 minutes

Resource available in:

English, Danish, French, German, Spanish and Romanian.

Activity 1: Mission planning

In this activity, students will complete a mission on the Moon by guiding an imaginary rover on the Moon. Students will have to list a series of instructions to reach from the landing site to a final destination while carrying out a mission, and avoiding hazards on the way.

This activity is an introduction to logical thinking. Older students can skip this activity and go directly to Activity 2.

Equipment

Student worksheet printed for each pupil.

Pen/pencil

Activity 2: Design and test your mission

In this activity, students will work in pairs to design their own missions to the Moon. They will play the role of mission controller and create a mission for their classmate, playing the role of a rover, to carry out. they will take turns playing the two different roles.

Equipment

Student worksheet printed for each pupil.

Pen/pencil

Tape

Did you know?

Satellites studying the Moon have found that there is water ice at its poles. The ice has been found buried in the bottom of some craters that are always in shadow. On a future Moon base, astronauts might be able to dig or drill the frozen soil to get ice that they can melt to have liquid water.