The Moon

Objectives: Students will demonstrate an awareness of the outcomes of the Apollo program. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the processes that affected the creation of the surface features on the Moon.
Focus Question: What are the geological processes that shaped the Moon’s surface? What are the outcomes of the Apollo program?
Length:	45 to 60 minutes
Grade Level:	K-12
NASA Mission:	Science, Space Operations
National Science Standards:	Science Standards Science as Inquiry Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry (4-12) Understandings about scientific inquiry (K-12) Earth and Space Science Properties of earth materials (K-4) Objects in the sky (K-4) Structure of the earth system (5-8) Earth history (5-8) Origin and evolution of the earth system (9-12) Science and Technology Understandings about science and technology (K-12)
NASA Presenters:	Bryan Palaszewski (Presentation - 1 - Presentation - 2 - Movies in Presentation- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4) - Bryan.Palaszewski@grc.nasa.gov
Advanced Preparation: Pre-conference Assessment: Record your students scores at the conclusion of Moon Jeopardy. Grades K-4: 1. Go outside on a clear (and warm) moonlit night and look at the moon. Draw what you see. 2. With the help of your teacher, a parent, or a book, label some of the craters and maria. 3. Can you find the crater, Tycho? Can you see the rays? 4. Watch the moon over several nights. Can you see the changing phases? Can you see it move past a star? Grades 4-12: Impact Craters (pgs. 61-69; print pgs. 71-79). Grades 8-9: A different version of Impact Craters, with additional materials created by Niki Barnes and Matt McCormick, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.* Check the current phase of the moon with daily highlights at In Constant Moon. Check the current phase of the moon and where on earth it is visible at Earth and Moon Viewer. Lunar Phases Check for general lunar background and links to other related sites at Lunar Geology.
The Moon videoconference provides participants the opportunity to discuss the outcomes of the Apollo program and the processes that created the craters and other surface features we see when we view the Moon. The study of surface processes on Earth's land masses is called geology from geos (Gk) Earth or Earth goddess. The same studies done on the Moon are formally called selenology from selene (Gk) moon or moon goddess. The event can be tailored to certain grade levels. Lunar materials are available for classroom use via the Lunar-Meteorite Sample Loan Program.
Suggested post-conference activities: Grades K-4: The Space Place, Try Some Moon Cookies. Grades 4-12: Lesson 7 - Crater Hunters (pgs. 7.1-7.8; print pgs. 94-102) Grades 5-12: Activities in Planetary Geology for the Physical and Earth Sciences Grades 8-9: Post-conference Activity created by Niki Barnes and Matt McCormick, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.* Assessment for The Moon activities and videoconference: Why doesn't the Earth look like the Moon? A post-conference assessment for use after completion of The Moon activities and the videoconference is also available. It was created by Niki Barnes and Matt McCormich, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.* Grades 9-12: Photogeologic Mapping of the Moon Post-conference Assessments: Have your students repeat Moon Jeopardy and compare their scores to those they earned originally. Have your students answer the following question: Why doesn't the Earth look like the Moon?
Advanced Notice Recommended:	4 weeks
Frequency of Presentation:	As needed
Availability of Presenter:	Varies
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