Gifted and Talented (GT) students recently embarked on an exciting engineering challenge after reading Margaret and the Moon, the inspiring story of Margaret Hamilton, the pioneering software engineer behind NASA's first lunar landing in 1969. The students, learning about the historic Apollo 11 mission, were tasked with stepping into the shoes of engineers working on the mission, charged with the responsibility of designing their own lunar lander.
With only 15 minutes on the clock, the young engineers had limited materials to work with: aluminum foil, a cup, six straws, tape, and scissors. The challenge was designed not only to test their creativity but also to simulate real-world constraints faced by the original Apollo engineers.
Students were first given time to brainstorm and plan their designs individually, before coming together as a team to share ideas and collaborate. Once their blueprints were sketched out, it was time to build. The classroom buzzed with activity as students worked swiftly yet carefully to craft their lunar landing modules.
After completing their initial designs, each team tested their creations, recording the results of their first attempts. For many, the landings didn’t go as planned, but that was part of the process. The students embraced the opportunity to redesign and improve their lunar landers based on what they learned from their first tries. This exercise wasn’t just about engineering but also about perseverance and problem-solving, mirroring the real-world innovation and resilience needed in the Apollo program.
The challenge culminated in redesigned landers, improved strategies, and a deepened understanding of both the lunar landing mission and the importance of learning through failure. The students left the experience with newfound appreciation for teamwork and the engineers of the Apollo era, inspired by Margaret Hamilton's legacy of determination and ingenuity.
