Day 5: Mission Patch Design
STEP 1: In this activity, you’ll work in a team of 3 to 6 students to create your own space mission patch—just like real NASA crews do. You’ll roll a die to determine your mission type, design challenge, and crew roles. This keeps things fair and makes every team’s mission unique. Everyone on your team will contribute as you use teamwork, creativity, and storytelling to bring your mission to life. Like learning a new board game, there are a few rules. Review the guidelines below to help spark ideas and support teamwork as you create your mission patch. Click here for a link to the worksheet that includes the below information.
STEP 2: First, form a crew of 3 to 6 students. For example, a group of 5—Amy, Jeff, Isabel, Amari, and Carlos—makes one crew. One person will take on the role of the artist, just like real NASA teams who work with an artist to design their mission patch. In this case, the artist is a member of your crew. If Amy volunteers to be the artist, her name goes first. The rest of the crew’s names can be listed in any order.
STEP 4: Next, your crew will define the mission and patch design by rolling a die. Each member takes a turn to determine one design element. For example:
- Amy rolls a 3 — the mission type is an ISS Expedition.
- Jeff rolls a 5 — the patch shape is a pentagon.
- Isabel rolls a 2 — the colors will be red, white, and blue.
- Amari rolls a 1 — the mission designation must be included.
- Carlos rolls a 6 — no astronaut pin in the design.
- Amy rolls again and gets a 3 — a constellation will be included.
- Now it’s your turn—take turns rolling and build your mission!
STEP 5: Next, each crew member will roll the die to determine their role.
- Amy, the artist, rolls a 6 and chooses to be a Mission Specialist.
- Jeff rolls a 2 and becomes a Payload Specialist.
- Isabel rolls a 1 and is assigned the role of Pilot.
- Amari rolls a 5 and also chooses to be a Payload Specialist.
- Carlos rolls a 6, but since the Pilot role is taken, he rolls again, gets a 1, and chooses to be a Mission Specialist.
STEP 6: Right now, no one has the role of Commander—but every mission needs one Commander and one Pilot. To assign the Commander, each Mission Specialist and Payload Specialist takes turns rolling the die until someone rolls a 3 or 4.
- Amy rolls a 3–not a match, so she passes the die.
- Jeff rolls a 1–still no match, passes the die.
- Amari rolls a 6–not a match, passes it on.
- Carlos rolls a 4–match! Carlos becomes the Commander.
If no one rolls a 3 or 4, the rotation continues until someone does.
STEP 7: Once you’ve finished setting up your crew, mission, and patch design, it’s time for the Mission Brief. This should take about 15 minutes—just be sure to read the Guidelines before you begin.
Every member of the crew has a task to complete. The primary focus of the crew tasks is designing the mission patch with a special contribution made by the Mission Specialists and Payload Specialists.
An example of a patch design is shown below:
STEP 7: Once your patch is complete, take a clear picture of it and upload it using the QR code below. In the “Subject” area, include your first name and/or your team members’ names. Click here to see all patch images.
