STEM Class Design and Create 3-D Space Probes

Central High School students in Mr. Robert De La Cruz’s STEM class became experts in astronomy while working on their three-dimensional printing astronomy project. Both in-person and remote students designed and created realistic models of space probes.

The inspiration was to model the most significant missions to space in the history of space exploration. Students selected from a list of 40 significant missions to space and then created a presentation highlighting the objective, instrumentation and discoveries of the probe or satellite. In addition, they also used Computer Assisted Design software to create a model of their chosen probe and had their models printed in 3D. Their presentations and models are now on display in the school’s library.

“As a class, we wanted to show that it is possible to learn a high-level skill and conduct research, while adjusting to the challenges of this year,” Mr. De La Cruz said. “The class exceeded all expectations.”