Rockets
3…2…1… LIFTOFF! We’re on our way to some out-of-this-world fun. Shoot into space by clicking the playlists for fascinating rocket videos, or explore careers at NASA in the choiceboard below. STEAMventures await!
Video Playlists
Digital Choiceboard
Flip over the tiles to discover crafts, experiments and more! Choose as many as you like.
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Build a Moon Base with NASA Engineers
Something broken on the space station? Learn how engineers think creatively to fix problems! Check out this Intro to Engineering from NASA for Kids.
Moon Base Challenge
Are you ready for the Crush It: Moon Base Challenge? It’s 2030 and NASA asks you, an engineer, to build a moon base. This isn’t just any moon base. Protect your base so it can withstand a hit from an asteroid.
Test Your Math Skills With a NASA Mathematician
Dr. Christine Darden is a well-known aerospace engineer at NASA. Before that, she was a human computer. Find out more about how women like her did math by hand to get rockets to space in Scholastic’s Breaking Barriers: NASA’s Science Superstars.
Math Expedition
Try out these epic quests from Prodigy Math Game to see how far your math skills will take you--just like the human computers at NASA. Free app for all learners.
Make a Robo Wheel with a NASA Robotics Engineer
Meet NASA Robotics Engineer, Sandeep Yayathi. Learn how he designs and builds humanoid robots that can work alongside astronauts.
Robo Wheel Activity
Design a wheel that stores energy! Use the Robo Wheel Guide from Design Squad Global for help.
Create a Lunar Landing Vehicle with a NASA Materials Engineer
Meet NASA Materials Engineer, Erick Ordoñez. He dreamed as a child of working for NASA. Learn more about how he makes sure that any materials that NASA sends into space are safe and problem-free.
Space Landing Challenge -
Your mission is to create a vehicle to get astronauts from the rocket to the surface of the moon. Think fast! You only need marshmallows and a few other materials.
Check out Ready Jet Go’s visit to NASA’s Flight Research Center to see what you’re building!
Use the Touchdown Guide from Design Squad Global to get your design started.
Explore Anti-Gravity with NASA Astronauts
Sometimes astronauts even do experiments to study their own bodies! Twin brothers, Mark and Scott Kelly, are both astronauts for NASA. Learn How Scott Kelly’s Year in Space May Have Changed His Body.
Zero Gravity Experiment
Check out this Amazing NASA Experiment Filmed in Space. Scott Kelly tested water and new cameras in zero gravity.
Now make your own Anti- Gravity DIY Galaxy in a Bottle. Try your hand at some close-up photography and video on a smartphone. Make a time lapse video or try slow motion!
Visit the International Space Station with a NASA Aerospace Engineer
NASA Aerospace Engineer Victoria Garcia describes how she uses virtual reality tools to design living and work spaces for astronauts. She also talks about not letting her deafness be a barrier in her life.
International Space Station Activity
Assemble the International Space Station piece-by-piece to get an idea of how Victoria uses 3D design. Use a smartphone, computer or a VR headset.
Take a Sample from an Asteroid with a NASA Flight Controller
Take a journey with NASA Space Walk Flight Controller and Trainer, Alison Bolinger, as she teaches astronauts how to work outside their spacecraft.
Down to the Core Activity
Take on the Down to the Core Challenge from Design Squad Global. Learn with Allison how to take a core sample from an “asteroid.” She teaches astronauts to do similar activities.
Make a Homemade Comet with a NASA Astronomer
Learn what it takes to be an astronomer from Dr. Amy Mainzer. She works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. Hear how she became interested in studying planets, stars and asteroids with giant telescopes.
Homemade Comet
Want to make a homemade comet? Check out Ready, Jet, Go’s Episode on Telescopes. Dr. Amy explains how to make a comet at home! Make sure to get a grown-up to help.
Learn a Constellation with a NASA Flight Systems Engineer
NASA Flight Systems Engineer Tracy Drain explains her role on the Juno mission to Jupiter. She manages the spacecraft to make sure each piece of machinery works properly for the different phases of the mission.
Learn a constellation:
Tracy loved looking at the stars as a kid. Did you know that clusters of stars can be recognized by their shape? Constellations are like dot-to-dots in the night sky. Look up online what the Big Dipper, Orion, and Cassiopeia look like. Or learn one of the animals, like the swan, dog, or lion.
Try the Skyview Lite app on a smartphone for help once you’re outside. Just point the screen at the sky and start your star hunt!