Destination Space: Mission Patches, Straw Rockets, Moon Craters

Resources

On this page you will find three Destination activities for you to try out, let us know how you did by tweeting us at @Thinktankmuseum@Destin_Space.

Destination Space 2: Level 2 is an engagement program organised and run by the UK Association of Science and Discovery Centres, run in partnership with the UK Space Agency and Launch UK. It aims to engage over 200,000 people and promote interest and knowledge of the UK's role in the space industry and the role of satellites and space exploration.

Download the activities as PDFs. Alternatively the same information can be found on the page below.

Downloads List

Mission Patch:

Most missions to space have a Mission Patch! These are small patches attached to the astronaut’s suits and are often designed by the astronauts themselves. They contain the mission name, for example “Apollo 11”, and will contain pictures that relate to their mission.

Image gallery

Check out the mission patches in the gallery below:

Activity

Can you design your very own mission patch?

Why not tweet us your finished designs! @Thinktankmuseum @Destin_Space

Straw Rockets:

Have you ever wanted to build and fly your own rocket? Using these simple instructions, you can make your own rocket, powered by your breath!

Experiment with different fins to see how far your rocket can fly!

You will need:

  • A4 Paper
  • Sticky Tape
  • A Pencil
  • Scissors
  • A Straw

Instructions

  1. First, wrap your paper around your pencil to form the body of your rocket! Use sticky tape to finish your rocket body and remove the pencil.
  2. Next, using a piece of paper create a nose cone. The best cones are pointy, but yours can be any shape you want (make sure it is airtight!). Attach your cone with sticky tape. You can also make and attach some fins using paper and sticky tape.
  3. Finally, put your straw inside the rocket. By blowing into the straw your rocket should launch into the sky!

Moon Craters:

The surface of the Moon is covered in craters! Some are so big you can even see them from Earth! This is your chance to learn how craters are made, but without having to go all the way to space!

You will need:
  • A baking tray
  • Plain Flour
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Marbles
Instructions
  1. First, add a thick layer of flour to your baking tray, at least 2cm thick.
  2. Next, lightly cover the entire surface in a thin layer of cocoa powder.
  3. Finally, drop you marbles into the tray. Watch as your craters form. The marbles are our comets and asteroids, they move the soil of the Moon (our flour and cocoa) when they crash land!