Bring the excitement of NASA’s Artemis missions, future Moon exploration, and long-term space colonization into your classroom with this engaging full-unit bundle. This resource collection is designed to work across grade levels by including a mix of differentiated readings, projects, mystery activities, lessons, and STEM investigations that explore the same big ideas at different levels of complexity.

The bundle also includes a NO PREP, day-by-day teaching schedule.

This bundle helps students examine how humans return to the Moon, how future missions may lead to long-term lunar habitats, and what science, engineering, and problem-solving are needed for life beyond Earth.

Rather than teaching space exploration as isolated facts, this unit helps students connect rockets, microgravity, Moon science, astronaut survival, habitats, and colonization into one larger story about the future of human spaceflight.

Big Ideas Covered in This Bundle

1. Artemis Missions, Moon Exploration, and the Future of Lunar Travel

Students build background knowledge about how space exploration has developed from Apollo to Artemis and what future Moon missions may involve.

Included resources:

• From Apollo to Artemis Reading (includes BOTH middle and high school versions): Exploring the Moon – A student-friendly reading that connects past Moon exploration to the Artemis program.
• Building a Moon Base Reading (includes BOTH middle and high school versions): Artemis I, II and What Comes Next – Introduces students to the goals of Artemis missions and the idea of future lunar habitats.
• The Moon Lesson – A complete Moon lesson covering Moon phases, tides, and related Moon concepts.
• Moon Activity #1: Moon Student-Led Presentations – Gives students opportunities to research and present Moon-related topics.
• Moon Activity #2: NASA Moon Survival Mission – Engages students in collaborative Moon mission problem-solving.

2. Building and Living in Future Moon Habitats

Students explore what it would take to build, use, and survive in a Moon base or future space colony.

Included resources:

• Future Moon Base Planning Presentation Project – Students design and explain a future lunar base.
• Building and Utilizing a Moon Base Reading: Moon Habitat Design – A reading focused on lunar habitat design and function.
• The Space Colony Mystery – A science mystery activity focused on life support systems and space habitats.
• Living in Deep Space: Astronaut Survival Systems Project – Students investigate how astronauts could survive during deep-space missions.

3. Rockets, Launches, and Getting Into Space

Students learn how missions begin by exploring rocket science, forces, and launch concepts.

Included resources:

• The Rocket Launch Mystery – Students investigate how rockets produce thrust and leave Earth.
• Newton’s Second Law of Motion STEM Investigation: Balloon Rocket – A hands-on investigation that connects motion, force, and acceleration to rocket concepts.

4. Microgravity and Living Beyond Earth

Students examine what happens to astronauts and objects in orbit and why space missions require specialized systems and design.

Included resources:

• The Microgravity Mystery – A mystery activity that helps students explain why astronauts float in space.
• Living in Deep Space: Astronaut Survival Systems Project – Also supports understanding of how humans live and work safely during future missions.

5. Mission Design, Creativity, and Space Exploration Identity

Students connect science learning with creativity and engineering design by developing mission-based projects.

Included resources:

• Artemis III Mission Patch Design Project – A creative project that helps students think about mission goals, symbolism, and the future of Moon exploration.

Why Teachers Love This Bundle

• Covers NASA Artemis missions, Moon exploration, and future space colonization in one unit
• Includes a strong mix of readings, projects, mystery activities, lessons, and STEM investigations
• Works across grade levels with differentiated resources on similar big ideas
• Helps students connect science concepts to real-world space exploration
• High engagement through creative, inquiry-based, and problem-solving activities
• Flexible enough to use as a full unit, smaller sub-units, or individual lessons
• Excellent value for teachers looking to teach Moon missions and future space exploration in depth

Perfect For

• Artemis mission units
• Space exploration units
• Moon and lunar science units
• STEM and engineering classes
• Astronomy and Earth/space science lessons
• Full-unit planning across multiple grade levels
• Teachers looking for a mix of science literacy, inquiry, and project-based learning
• What’s Included

This bundle includes:

• Differentiated readings
• Project-based learning activities
• Science mystery investigations
• A hands-on STEM investigation
• A full Moon lesson
• Creative extension activities
• Resources that support a larger daily teaching schedule / pacing guide

This bundle gives you the tools to teach a complete, engaging unit on Artemis, space exploration, and future space colonization while keeping students focused on the science, engineering, and possibilities of human life beyond Earth.