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Mission Moon

Traveling Mission Moon Program 

Program Grades: 4-12

Registration: Opens January 2026

A new immersive workforce development program to spur interest in space and aerospace-related subjects for 4-12 students.

Mission Moon offers youth the opportunity to interact with a variety of STEM role models while taking part in STEM and space-themed experiences. The program features many hands-on and interactive resources which immerse students in realistic activities that reflect space and aerospace-related knowledge. 

Download the Mission Moon program flyer here. 

Mission Activities

Below are the activities included in the traveling Mission Moon program. This program provides youth with  a multi-part, immersive STEM simulation for 4-12th grade students that emphasizes key concepts in NASA’s Artemis missions. 

Scout a Landing Site

Teams will use small drones to collect data on potential landing sites while learning about the Moon’s geologic features.

Design a Rover and Launch

The engineering design process will be used by teams to build a small rover capable of transporting individual team members and materials.

Collect Regolith and Build Habitat

Using their tablets, teams will scan mock regolith to determine mineral composition, collect regolith with their rover, and then build a habitat using life size magnetic tiles.

Search for Water Ice

Using micro:bits as scanners, teams will use radio signals to locate hidden reserves of water ice on a mock lunar surface.

Visit the Planetarium

A large inflatable StarLab Planetarium is integrated throughout the experience.

Collaborators and camp developers include

  • Iowa 4-H Youth Development
  • Collins Aerospace
  • Iowa State University College of Engineering
  • Iowa State University College of Design
  • Iowa State University College of Health and Human Sciences
  • Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum
  • Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Iowa Children’s Museum
  • Ericson Public Library