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Come In, Mission Control

Astronauts rely on mission control specialists for all aspects of space flight. Find out what they do and create a replica of a mission control center.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Recycled Cardboard Box

Steps

  • Step 1

    Mission specialists are responsible for many critical tasks before, during and after space missions. Have students learn how astronauts and Earth-based mission control staff work together to conduct experiments, gather data, maintain and repair equipment, and much more. What education is needed to become a mission specialist? What are their key skills and leadership attributes?

  • Step 2

    Have students design and create a mission control center using a recycled box. Have them draw the room and some of the instruments on construction paper. Then cut away one side of the box to reveal the inside and glue their designs in the box. They can use craft items and recycled material such as aluminum foil, buttons, and pipe cleaners to embellish their creation.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to present their art, discuss the features they included, and what missions they studied.

Standards

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/models that are useful in communicating ideas.

Adaptations

Have students learn about astronaut and engineer Nicole Stott. She and her crewmate Jeff Williams participated in the first NASA live tweet from the space station. She is also an artist who brought a a small painting kit on ISS Expedition 21 and was the first person to watercolor in space.

Have students learn about Nancy Grace Roman, the astronomer who led the the NASA team that built the Hubble Space Telescope. "Always Looking Up: Nancy Grace Roman, Astronomer" by Laura Gehl, Louise Pigott, and Alex Oxton is a great resource.