TEKS & Objectives
7.9. The student knows components of our solar system.
7.9.B identify the accommodations, considering the characteristics of our solar system, that enabled manned space exploration.
We will explore humanity’s quest to reach the stars.
I will construct and test a model space exploration vehicle.
1. Watch videos.
2. Review vocabulary.
The Space Race was a competition between the Soviet Union (Russia) and the United States to achieve firsts in spaceflight. It produced many advances in science and technology. It took place from 1955 to 1975.
Sputnik I was the first satellite launched into Earth orbit. It was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957 and was the first major event in the space race.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) A was established by the United States in 1958, during the space race, to lead the US space program and space research.
Apollo 11 was the American spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon, commanded by Neil Armstrong, with lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin.
3. Design a lunar lander.
Click here for a detailed guide.
- Use paper plates, cups, straws, tape, etc. to create a vehicle that can be dropped and land right-side-up, with your marshmallow astronaut safely inside.
- Set the inputs to 1 to 24.
- Watch the video below for more design ideas.
- Rovers have also been used on Mars. We’ll learn more about that tomorrow.
- Think back at your experience helping an egg land safely from a drop without breaking.
- Landing a rover an another world is a VERY delicate and dangerous operation.
- See 7 minutes of Terror below.
Speaking of the space…
What did Neil Armstrong say when no one laughed at his moon joke?
I guess you had to be there.
4. “Space Trivia 2”
