My Expressions

3… 2… 1… Craft-Off! Make a DIY Space Shuttle Model

Materials You’ll Need:

• Cardboard: Lots of it! Cereal boxes, shipping boxes, or any sturdy cardboard will work.
• Paper: White, black, orange, and yellow.
• Markers/Pens: Black for details.
• Scissors
• Glue or Tape
• Ruler (optional, for precise measurements)
• Pencil (for tracing and marking)

Steps:

1. Create the Body (Orbiter):

   • Cut a large triangle shape from the cardboard for the main body of the shuttle.
   • Cut out smaller triangles for the wings and tail fin.
   • Glue or tape the wings and tail fin onto the main body.
   • Cut out small windows and doors from the white paper and glue them onto the body.

2. Build the External Tank:

   • Take a tall, cylindrical object (like a paper towel roll) and cover it with orange paper.
   • Cut a pointed tip from the cardboard and cover it with orange paper. Glue it to the top of the cylinder.
   • Cut out a few black circles and glue them onto the tank as details.

3. Assemble the Solid Rocket Boosters:

   • Use two more cylindrical objects (slightly smaller than the external tank) and cover them with white paper.
   • Cut pointed tips for these and cover them with the same orange paper used for the external tank’s tip. Glue them on.
   • Add black stripes to the boosters using markers or black paper.

4. Connect the Pieces:

   • Glue the external tank to the underside of the orbiter’s body. Make sure it’s centered.
   • Glue the solid rocket boosters on either side of the external tank. They should be positioned towards the bottom.

5. Make the Launch Pad (Optional):

   • Cut a rectangular base from cardboard and cover it with white paper.
   • Glue the bottom of the solid rocket boosters to the launch pad to create a sturdy display.

6. Add Final Touches:

   • Use a black marker or pen to add details like the American flag or NASA logo to the orbiter.
   • Draw tiles or panels on the wings and body of the shuttle with a pencil.
   • Add your own creative touches! Maybe a tiny astronaut figure waving from the window?

Tips:

• If you don’t have colored paper, get creative! Paint the cardboard or use markers to add color.
• Ask a grown-up to help with cutting or gluing if you need it.
• Use your imagination and have fun! There are no wrong ways to build your space shuttle.

Remember, this is just a guide. Feel free to experiment and make your model unique!