TEKS & Objectives
7.9. Earth and space. The student knows components of our solar system. The student is expected to:
7.9.B identify the accommodations, considering the characteristics of our solar system, that enabled manned space exploration.
7.1.B (RLA) follow and give complex oral instructions to perform specific tasks, answer questions, or solve problems;
7.1.D (RLA) engage in meaningful discourse and provide and accept constructive feedback from others.
7.1.A (Math) apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace;
7.19.C (Social Studies) analyze the effects of various scientific discoveries and technological innovations on the development of Texas such as advancements in the agricultural, energy, medical, computer, and aerospace industries;
This is a cross-curricular, applied skills project that will require all available time in each core subject.
We will complete a multi-day junior astronaut training program.
I will play the role of a mission specialist, collecting and studying moon rocks and making repairs to our spacecraft.
SPACECRAFT: CMS Tiger
MISSION: Go the the moon and bring back moonrocks from the lunar surface to study.
First we must prepare for our mission!
1. Get an overview of astronaut training and preparation.
Practice teamwork, as described in the video.
Play a version of the Minute-to-Win-It game “Defying Gravity,” in which players remain seated all round the room and work to keep the balloon in the air.
Prepare for your written exam.
Review vocabulary.
Astronaut A person who travels and works in space
Pilot someone who gets the spacecraft where it needs to go safely
Mission Specialist their job is to work with the pilots and keep the spacecraft and equipment working property and to do scientific experiments.
International Space Station (ISS) multinational space station in orbit around the Earth
Satellites machines that fly in orbit around Earth that can take picture of the Earth (Google Earth), help us know what the weather will be like, or send signals for television or radio.
Spacewalk when an astronaut leaves the spacecraft to do their job outside, in space. It’s one of the toughest jobs astronauts do!
Take the written exam (Kahoot).
2. Become a pilot at flight school.
Make a paper airplane and decorate it.
Fly your plane into a target, such as a hula hoop. See if you can remain on the correct flightpath.
3. Finish this training simulation to graduate
(where everything that CAN go wrong… WILL!)
Ready to time travel? This one takes place in the future, when we will be able to take a vacation on another planet.
The game code is: pluto
NOTE: If a game is broken, or an answer is needed, see the answer codes linked here and at the bottom of the page.
4. Make a 3-D picture of the moon.
- details here
5. If time remains, pick a movie.
Voting slide options can include, Space Buddies, Earth to Echo, Terra Willy, Zathura, Blippi’s Out of this World Adventure, Wall-E, Fly Me to the Moon, Lightyear, Space Chimps, etc. Check streaming options.