Back to Artemis II – Unit 3: Living and Working on the Moon

Artemis ROADS II – Unit 3 Lesson 2: Gardening on the Moon

In this lesson: First, students will consider what plants they have eaten in the past week and then they will explore a simulated lunar regolith sample and information about some of NASA’s investigations about growing plants on the Moon. Then, students will plan and carry out their own investigations to learn more about growing plants in space. Finally, they will discuss their results and document their findings in their MDLs.

Lesson Level Question: How will growing plants on the Moon compare to growing plants on Earth?

30 minutes

Engage

Students will consider all of the plants that they have eaten over the past week, including locally or culturally important plant foods.  Then, they will consider some less obvious plants that provide most of the calories we eat.

30 minutes

120 minutes

Explore

Students will explore simulated Moon regolith and information about NASA’s plant experiments before planning their own investigations.

120 minutes

30 minutes

Explain

Students will explain their plan for their investigation and receive feedback.

30 minutes

90 minutes

Elaborate

Students will carry out their investigation, collect their data, and report on the results.

90 minutes

30 minutes

Evaluate

Students will discuss the meaning of their results and document the result of this lesson in their MDLs.

30 minutes

Extend (optional)

Students will examine how eating in space differs from eating on earth.

Standards Alignment

Each lesson includes standards alignment information for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  Many lessons also include information on alignment opportunities for: CCSS Mathematics, CCSS English, WA State Learning Standards in Computer Science, WA State Standards in Social Emotional Learning.

In these documents, you will find an alignment summary, followed by details for each lesson: