Catia Cardoso

In this presentation, we will highlight the importance of using innovative educational methodologies and techniques to engage students in STEM learning, and present the outcome of the first Moon Camp Challenge. The Moon Camp Challenge participants have to 3D design their own version of a Moon base which is able to sustain at least two astronauts. The project is open worldwide and it is organised by the European Space Agency and Airbus Foundation, in partnership with Autodesk. The challenge targets primary and secondary school student teams (2 to 4 students each), in two different age categories. Category 1 (up to 12 years old) foresees the use of the Tinkercad 3D design tool, and Category 2 (13-18 years old) makes use of Fusion 360. In their design, the students need to envisage the use of local lunar resources such as lunar soil or water ice. Then they have to describe how their design provides protection from radiation and meteorites, and explain how they would obtain energy and food supplies. Finally, they have to 3D design their Moon base. The Moon Camp Challenge features preparatory classroom activities based on learning-by-design and science experimentation. First, the students will run a number of curricular scientific experiments using the Moon as a real-life scientific context. Then they have to apply the acquired knowledge in an interdisciplinary manner in order to design their own Moon Camp. The Moon Camp Challenge covers and interlinks different STEM subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Engineering, Astronomy and Design/3D Modelling.