Apollo Revisited
 

Objectives:

  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of the Apollo program.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of how our knowledge of the universe has increased as a direct result of the Apollo Moon Landings.
Focus Question: How have the Apollo Moon landings had an impact on our world and increased our knowledge of the universe?
Length: 45-90 minutes
Grade Level: 2-12; lifelong learners
NASA Mission: Space Operations, Exploration Systems

National Science Standards:

 Science as Inquiry
Understandings about scientific inquiry (K-12)
Earth and Space Science
Objects in the sky (K-4)
Science and Technology
Understandings about science and technology (K-12)
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
Natural hazards (5-8)
Risks and benefits (5-8)
Science and technology in society (5-8)
Natural and human-induced hazards (9-12)
History and Nature of Science
Science as a human endeavor (K-12)

NASA Presenters:

Tom Benson - Thomas.J.Benson@nasa.gov
Bryan Palaszewski - Bryan.Palaszewski@grc.nasa.gov

Advanced Preparation:
1) Grades 2-4 and 5-8: Complete one of the Thursday's Classroom lessons called "The Moon Hoax Is A Hoax!" found on the page entitled April 1, 2001: The Great Moon Hoax. The lessons include a pre-reading activity to teach the words found on the vocabulary page, with versions for younger and older kids.
2) Grades 9-12 and lifelong learners: Complete a Pre-Conference Activity originally developed by NASA Headquarters.
3) Participants should develop a list of questions for the NASA scientist as they work through the exercise.

Additional Background Information:
1) Preview the images (PowerPoint Download) provided by Bryan Palaszewski that may be used during the event.
2) Preview information on the Apollo Landing Sites, with specific information on Apollo 15: The Apollo 15 Landing Site Spotted in Images.
3 ) For additional research, visit Palaszewski's Internet Resources for "Humans in Space," "Space Stations," and "Living in Space."
4 ) Read the NASA Facts document entitled Did U.S. Astronauts Really Land on the Moon? (an Adobe Acrobat Reader file).
5) Preview the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal.
6) Read Apollo Chronicles from Science@NASA.

The Apollo Moon landings, which took place between 1969 and 1972, tremendously expanded our knowledge of the universe. Geologists have been examining more than 800 pounds of lunar rocks that astronauts brought back to Earth for over 30 years. From them we have learned much about the formation of the Moon.

The videoconferencing event gives participants an opportunity to discuss the Apollo program and the landings on the Moon with a NASA researcher. The presentation can be geared to all grade levels.

Suggested post-conference activities:
For grades 2-8, students might consider further research at the Science@NASA Web page, which outlines in detail the evidence that Apollo was exactly what NASA said it was.

For grades 9-12 and lifelong learners, complete the Post-conference activity. In addition, an in-depth discussion of the analysis of Apollo lunar samples is available from the Lunar and Planetary Institute Web site.

Advanced Notice Recommended:

4 weeks  

Frequency of Presentation:

Upon request 

Availability of Presenters:  

Varies

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