Explore the Moon, 5-8

Lockheed Martin, the Space Foundation and SpaceClass have launched a strategic online education collaboration called Orion’s Path. Orion is one of NASA’s Constellation Program vehicles that will carry astronauts to the International Space Station, the moon, and Mars. The interactive virtual classroom project will form a link between teachers, students and NASA’s human space exploration program known as Constellation. Orion’s Path is an interactive lesson on SpaceClass, a Web-based education program using videos and virtual science labs to engage students in research being conducted for space exploration.

Students get an in-depth look at Constellation vehicles and how they will work; hear from a lunar habitat and spacesuit expert; meet an astronaut who explains why it is important to explore the moon and beyond; and learn about making oxygen and water from the resources found on the moon. Finally, students can take Orion to Mars and compare the geology, gravity, temperatures, and other special features of the red planet to those of the moon.

Lesson contents meet National Learning Standards for middle school grades, and use of the site is free to teachers. The Space Foundation contributed additional resources to the site for teachers who require more in-depth information about space science topics.
http://www.spaceclass.org/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fcontrolpanel.aspx