STEM Extension – Integrated Subjects Lesson
Growing Food In Space is an exciting topic to research! Is it possible to grow food in space? NASA is looking into it!
Unlock students’ curiosity and explore the possibilities by engaging with this exciting project-based learning experience. Join us to investigate ‘Let’s Research Growing Food in Space.’ This is the last part of our larger STEM lesson. We have integrated reading (picture books and text features), science (space and plants), math (counting money) and technology in this extension lesson.
One component of the investigation is researching current technologies involved with growing plants in space. To begin, we read a picture book to get inpired. Then we study rovers on mars and create a 3D model of a rover and to extend this, students can create an infographic with text features. Before creating their models, students must plan out their STEM project and purchase supplies. This is a great review of counting money. After they create their rovers, we research the possibility of growing food in space. Finally, students create a mini greenhouse to watch how plants grow.
Getting Started with Picture Books
I love starting an extension, or STEM, type lesson with a picture book. We are starting our space unit and we need many extensions for our early finishers and GT students.
Read a picture book to get inspired:
Margaret and The Moon by Dean Robbins AR book level 3.7
Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker AR book level 4.2
How We Got to the Moon by John Rocco AR book level 8.3
STEM PLANNING SHEET
To get started, we will research rovers and how they are used on Mars. Students go to the NASA Mars Rovers site and learn all about them. Then, we will create rovers as a STEM project. Check out that link to get the editable, ready to use lesson plan. First, we will fill out a STEM project mapping sheet. Students draw their plan for their ROVER, then they create a diagram with labels. Next, students decide which materials they need for each part of their rover. You can use pasta (spaghetti – axis, lasagna – body, etc) OR we use small paper or styrofoam cups cut in half (body) plastic spoon, bendy straw or pipe cleaners (arm), small piece of foil (solar panel for power). Decide ahead of time which materials you have for them to use and add them to the planning sheet. You can also just ask parents to donate the items on the planning sheet. I’ve found that parents love to help!
Math Money Option
Students can purchase certain items using pretend money.
Growing Food In Space STEM
When I can get students to use garden materials, I do it! First, we discuss the possibility of people going to mars to study planets for longer periods. To do this, people need certain things. We brainstorm what these things are Food, Water, and Shelter.
Shelter is provided in the space station or shuttle. Water is probably provided in jugs. They can bring food, but it’s probably not very healthy since it’s preserved and packaged. Let’s grow food in space.
Healthy Food for Space Travel
We can talk about healthy food and why that’s important.
Discuss what is healthy food? Discuss what plants need to grow. Plants need sunlight and water. Maybe a greenhouse in space?
To learn more, students can research growing food in space. Click here for the link to this ready to use research project.
After their research is complete, create mini greenhouse models. Click that link to get the lesson plan on creating mini greenhouses. This is a great lesson to do in wintertime. You can place these greenhouses outdoors and the seeds still grow.
Text Features
Text Features – Incorporate Text Features into this lesson by having students label a diagram of their Rover or their mini greenhouse. Students can create an infographic (google slide) that includes all text features they are learning about: Bullet points, labels, diagrams, bold print, italics, headings, etc.
Need more… Is there a way to grow vegetables and protein at the same time? Start researching Aquaponics
