NASA Resources

Courtesy of NASA – for students and educators – www.nasa.gov

Lunar Module in Space

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12
This NASA video segment describes what occurred during the Apollo 11 mission once the Saturn V rocket reached space. Viewers can watch as the command module docks with the lunar module. Learn about the tasks the astronauts completed on their three-day trip to the moon. Some of the tasks mentioned are studying charts, making observations, collecting data and taking photographs.
Lunar Module in Space

Duration: 2 minutes, 35 seconds

> View QuickTime [8.86MB]

> View Windows Media [21.54MB]

> View Real Player [6.68MB]

Astronauts Work Aboard the Command Module

Astronauts Work Aboard the Command Module

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12
This NASA video segment describes what the Apollo 11 astronauts did during their three-day trip to the moon. Learn about some of the tasks the astronauts completed, such as studying charts, making observations, collecting data and taking photographs. Historical video footage of the astronauts supports the presentation.
Astronauts Work Aboard the Command Module

Duration: 52 seconds

> View QuickTime [2.97MB]

> View Windows Media [9.12MB]

> View Real Player [2.03MB]

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Leaving the Moon, Eagle Heads for Columbia

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment shows the Eagle lunar module ascending from the moon’s surface and preparing to dock with the Columbia command module during the Apollo 11 mission. Viewers watch the Eagle leave the moon, move into orbit with Columbia, and position itself for docking. The video clip includes the three astronauts’ personal reflections about the experience.

Leaving the Moon, Eagle Heads for Columbia

Duration: 3 minutes 15 seconds

> View QuickTime [11MB]

The Mission Ends Safely: Astronauts Head for Debriefing

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment shows the return of the Apollo 11 command module to Earth after completing the first human moon landing. Viewers watch as the command module re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, the recovery helicopter airlifts astronauts, and the astronauts enter the quarantine van. The emphasis of this video clip is on the significance of the event for humankind.

The Mission Ends Safely: Astronauts Head for Debriefing

Duration: 5 minutes 05 seconds

> View QuickTime [17MB]

Mission Complete: Review and Evaluation

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment shows scientists studying the rock and soil samples brought back from the moon by the Apollo 11 crew. The samples, shared with scientists around the world, gave humans information about the origin, age, and composition of the moon. This video clip explains that the Apollo 11 mission was a success. The video includes footage of scientists studying the moon samples and photos taken on the moon.

Mission Complete: Review and Evaluation

Duration: 1 minute 45 seconds

> View QuickTime [6 MB]

Apollo 17 View of Earth

July 11, 1969: Apollo 11 Lifts Off

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment describes the immense preparation and effort expended to make the dream of landing on the moon a reality. Viewers learn that thousands of people were involved and that astronauts Collins, Aldrin and Armstrong went through extensive training for the mission. The clip includes footage of the astronauts entering the rocket and of the launch.

July 11, 1969: Apollo 11 Lifts Off

Duration: 3 minutes 13 seconds

> View QuickTime [11MB]

Destination: The Moon

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment shows the process of landing the Apollo 11 lunar module on the surface of the moon. Viewers watch as the lunar module separates from the command module, extends and locks its landing pads, and descends to the moon’s surface. The video explains that the command module and lunar module are called Columbia and Eagle, respectively, after separation. The clip includes radio transmissions between the astronauts and mission control.

Destination: The Moon

Duration: 4 minutes 42 seconds

> View QuickTime [15MB]

The History of Rocketry and Space Travel

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-8

This NASA video segment provides an historical overview of manned rocket flights. Viewers learn that Robert Goddard is the father of modern rocketry and that it was his idea to first use liquid and solid propellants in rocket design. The video also discusses the Jupiter, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

The History of Rocketry and Space Travel

Duration: 1 minute 45 seconds

> View QuickTime [6MB]

Historical Quotations About Space Exploration

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment contains excerpts from speeches about the significance and promise of space exploration. One of the featured excerpts comes from President John F. Kennedy, who set the national goal of sending an astronaut to the moon and back. The clip also includes audio clips from speeches given by President Lyndon B. Johnson and President Richard M. Nixon. Footage of a rocket on a launch pad supports the presentation.

Historical Quotations About Space Exploration

Duration: 43 seconds
> View QuickTime [2MB]

A Retrospective Look at the Gemini Program

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 9-Higher Education

This NASA video segment provides an overview of the Gemini program. Viewers learn that Gemini was an essential precursor to the Apollo program, which landed men on the moon. The video clip emphasizes the importance of the Gemini program in training astronauts to dock a spacecraft, walk in space, and live in space for long durations.
A Retrospective Look at the Gemini Program

Duration: 3 minutes 18 seconds

> View QuickTime [11MB]

Exploration: Then and Now — Settlement Lesson

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators

Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This lesson will help your students answer the question:

How do an area’s location, soil and weather affect settlement?

In this lesson, students will

– Look for patterns in the location of New World colonies.

– Plot the Apollo landings on the moon and identify lunar surface features of each landing site.

– Make correlations between rainfall and mortality in Jamestown from 1604 through 1615.

– Based upon tree rings, interpret and make inferences about rainfall.

– Gather data on space radiation shielding by observing a flashlight beam as it shines through different materials.

– Compare samples of the Earth’s soil with simulated lunar regolith.

– Investigate the effects of micrometeoroid bombardment on simulated lunar regolith formation.

– Make inferences about properties of simulated lunar regolith based upon observations.

– Compare the differences in challenges faced by 17th-century and 21st-century explorers.

Settlement Lesson [5MB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities.

Space Exploration AP: Next-Generation Spacecraft — Orion

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators

Grades: 11-12

Orion is the vehicle NASA is developing to carry a new generation of explorers back to the moon and later to Mars. Orion will succeed the space shuttle as NASA‘s primary vehicle for human space exploration. Orion will use an improved, larger blunt-body capsule, much like the shape of the Apollo capsule. With an outside diameter of 5 meters, the Orion crew module will have about three times the volume of an Apollo capsule. Students role play members of the Orion engineering design team to use a concept drawing of the Orion crew module to answer questions.

Students will:

–Use integration to find the volume of a solid generated by a region, R.

–Determine the equation of a circle using the standard form and the general form.

–Determine the equation of a line using the point-slope form.

–Solve a system of equations with three equations and three unknowns.

Next-Generation Spacecraft — Orion teacher edition [527KB PDF file]

Next-Generation Spacecraft — Orion student edition [328KB PDF file]

NASA at 50 — 1962: Project Gemini Begins

The information in this series was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-12

This set is part of the Discovery Education “NASA at 50″ Series. Each set includes a video clip, an audio clip and a teachers guide. This episode chronicles the history of Project Gemini, the precursor to the Apollo program. Project Gemini successfully designed and tested all components and procedures necessary to land people on the moon. Downloadable versions of the videos are captioned.

After viewing the program and participating in discussion, students will be able to:

• Explain the importance of Project Gemini.
• Describe how Project Gemini paved the way for astronauts to land on the moon.
• Identify how Project Gemini was named.

Classroom activity: Students research the constellation Gemini on a constellation map.

> NASA at 50 — 1962: Project Gemini Begins ? Duration: 3 minutes 35 seconds

Destination: The Moon

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-12

This NASA video segment shows the process of landing the Apollo 11 lunar module on the surface of the moon. Viewers watch as the lunar module separates from the command module, extends and locks its landing pads, and descends to the moon’s surface. The video explains that the command module and lunar module are called Columbia and Eagle, respectively, after separation. The clip includes radio transmissions between the astronauts and mission control.

Destination: The Moon

Duration: 4 minutes 42 seconds

> View QuickTime [15MB]

NASA at 50 — 1958: Project Mercury Begins

The information in this series was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-12

This set is part of the Discovery Education “NASA at 50″ Series. Each set includes a video clip, an audio clip and a teachers guide. This episode discusses the start of Project Mercury and considers how NASA researchers determined the best shape for the first manned space capsules. Downloadable versions of the videos are captioned.

After viewing the program and participating in the discussion, students will be able to:

• Explain how the Project Mercury space capsule was a revolutionary design for space engineering.
• Describe how engineers tested the Project Mercury space capsule design.
• Identify how Project Mercury ignited the space program for America by paving the way for the Gemini and Apollo programs.

Classroom activity: Students plot a timeline spanning the history and accomplishments of Project Mercury.

> NASA at 50 — 1958: Project Mercury Begins ? Duration: 4 minutes 25 seconds

Using Math and Science to Plan for the Next Generation of Spacecraft

The information in this video was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators and Students

Grades: 5-8

Year: 2003

This NASA video segment explores the concept of gravity and how Newton’s three laws help rockets overcome the force of gravity. Viewers learn that gravity is a force of attraction between objects and that this force is dependent on the objects’ masses. Viewers also learn that an object’s mass remains constant, that unbalanced forces are needed to lift a rocket into space, and that the rocket will move in a direction that is equal and opposite to the thrust of the engine. Onscreen calculations show the amount of thrust needed for the Saturn V rocket of the Apollo program.

Using Math and Science to Plan for the Next Generation of Spacecraft

Duration: 5 minutes 36 seconds

> View QuickTime [18.6MB]

> View Windows Media [49.7MB]

> View Real Player [14.6MB]

NASA at 50 — 1961: Flexible Wing Design Used for Hang Gliders

The information in this series was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-12

This set is part of the Discovery Education “NASA at 50″ Series. Each set includes a video clip, an audio clip and a teachers guide. This episode introduces Francis Rogallo, a NASA engineer whose design for the flexible wing became the basis for modern hang gliding. The program details how Rogallo designed the flexible wing for the Gemini and Apollo space programs. Although NASA did not use the design, the flexible wing’s low cost and simple construction allowed flying to become a recreational sport. Downloadable versions of the videos are captioned.

After viewing the program and participating in discussion, students will be able to:

• Explain how a flexible wing works.
• Describe how hang gliding has become a recreational sport.
• Identify why NASA was interested in the flexible wing design.

Classroom activity: Students use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast the structure and uses of parachutes versus flexible wings.

> NASA at 50 — 1961: Flexible Wing Design Used for Hang Gliders ? Duration: 4 minutes 54 seconds

Exploration: Then and Now — NASA and Jamestown Education Module

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators

Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This educational module examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities. Modules below:

————————–

Exploration: Then and Now — Cover and Introductory Material

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This document includes the front cover, introductory material and the last page of the Jamestown Exploration: Then and Now module.

>  View cover [149KB PDF file]
>  View introduction [32KB PDF file]

>  View last page [175KB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities.

Exploration: Then and Now — Survival! Lesson

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This lesson will help your students answer the question:
What are the most essential items for the survival of settlers and explorers in new worlds?

In this lesson, students will
– Analyze and rank items based upon their importance for survival in a particular environment.
– Work as a team to come to a consensus about the importance of certain survival items.
– Compare team rankings to rankings developed by history and astronomy experts.

– Identify and compare human needs in two different exploration environments.
– Compare the differences in survival on Earth and the moon.

Survival! Lesson [2MB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities

Exploration: Then and Now — Transportation Lesson

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This lesson will help your students answer the question:
How do vessel design, navigation and propulsion affect exploration?

In this lesson, students will
– Measure and compare the two-dimensional and three-dimensional space of the Godspeed, one of the ships that carried the Jamestown settlers, with that of the Orion spacecraft, the crew exploration vehicle, or CEV, that will carry astronauts back to the moon.

– Use a compass to identify intersecting points to demonstrate how the Global Positioning System, or GPS, works.
– Use a coordinate plane to identify the latitude and longitude of a specific location on a map of the moon.
– Compare Landsat maps of the Chesapeake Bay with Captain John Smith’s maps of the same area.
– Use a map or a magnetic compass to identify cardinal and intermediate directions on Captain John Smith’s map.
– Construct, estimate the surface area of, and test a model kite.
– Experiment and compare how three different surface areas affect a kite’s flight.
– Design an experiment to test different propulsion systems.
– Compare challenges faced by 17th-century and 21st-century explorers.

Transportation Lesson [5MB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities.

Exploration: Then and Now — Settlement Lesson

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This lesson will help your students answer the question:
How do an area’s location, soil and weather affect settlement?

In this lesson, students will
– Look for patterns in the location of New World colonies.
– Plot the Apollo landings on the moon and identify lunar surface features of each landing site.

– Make correlations between rainfall and mortality in Jamestown from 1604 through 1615.
– Based upon tree rings, interpret and make inferences about rainfall.
– Gather data on space radiation shielding by observing a flashlight beam as it shines through different materials.
– Compare samples of the Earth’s soil with simulated lunar regolith.
– Investigate the effects of micrometeoroid bombardment on simulated lunar regolith formation.
– Make inferences about properties of simulated lunar regolith based upon observations.
– Compare the differences in challenges faced by 17th-century and 21st-century explorers.

Settlement Lesson [5MB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities.

Exploration: Then and Now — Follow the Water Lesson

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This lesson will help your students answer questions about water’s location and importance to life.

In this lesson, students will
– Observe and describe osmosis.
– Compare the porosity and permeability of several soil samples.
– Observe a soil’s water-holding capacity.

– Make observations about the availability and location of water on Earth, the moon and Mars.
– Model water dissolving materials as it travels through soil samples.
– Design an investigation to determine how varying amounts of salt in water affect seed germination.
– Identify the salinity of unknown solutions based upon observation.
– Compare the differences in challenges faced by 17th-century and 21st-century explorers.

Follow the Water Lesson [612KB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities.

Exploration: Then and Now — Human Needs Lesson

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 6-8

Product Number: EG-2006-09-25-LaRC

This lesson will help your students answer questions about how people adapt to and meet their needs in new environments.

In this lesson, students will
– Explore the effects of physical stress on muscle.
– Identify food properties and design tests to select suitable foods for travel during colonial times and for spaceflight.
– Create a food and activity plan for healthy eating, and then modify the plan for 17th-century travel and for 21st-century space travel.

– Compare and contrast challenges faced by 17th-century and 21st-century explorers.

Human Needs Lesson [204KB PDF file]

The educational module Exploration: Then and Now examines four themes and compares exploration of the past and present. The module focuses on the settlement of Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking colony in the New World, and NASA‘s plans to return to the moon and reach for Mars. Each lesson consists of several student activities.