Space Exploration Webquest

Space exploration is, historically speaking, a new kid on the block. It hasn’t been quite 50 years since Sputnik 1 went

into orbit. But since that time, space exploration has taken off, and our understanding of the cosmos has

increased exponentially.

• This is a webquest to:

• Review the history of space exploration 

• Be able to name major accomplishments of space exploration and to understand the future of space exploration

• Create a computer slide show highlighting milestones in space exploration and pointing out future missions

1.  We will divide into groups, each group will prepare a section of the slide show devoted to space exploration and accomplishments of the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000's and beyond. For each decade, you are to conduct research and determine space missions and discoveries to highlight. The slide show should not just focus on U.S. accomplishments, but should also include worldwide contributions. Because there are so many events, you will need to prioritize. The finished presentations should be about 8-10 minutes in length with a minimum of 12 slides and should include:

• A list of manned and unmanned missions and a synopsis of the missions’ goals.

• Missions may include space or planetary probes such as Voyager 1 or land-based astronomical finds such as the discovery of extrasolar planets. The group working on the period from 2010 forward should also include missions that are being prepared for the future.

 • What the missions or discoveries contributed to our

understanding of space science? Who was the scientist or astronaut associated to this mission or discoveries?

• At least one image or video clip to accompany each highlighted mission or discovery.

2. A great starting website would be NASA but there are many links to research.

 3. When finished with the research, each

group should present it's slide show to the entire class, showing the images on a computer screen and reading a narrative to explain the images and cover the required material.  Do not put too much material on the slides.  Students should know their material and discuss it while presenting the slides.

• Links that will be helpful:•  • http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/09/24/science/space/

20070924_SPUTNIK_GRAPHIC.html#tab2• Website to familiarize you with events that occurred in each decade (there is many more events

than this, however).• http://www.solarviews.com/eng/history.htm• Different missions from the US and other countries•  • http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/space_missions/manned_table.html• History of manned space missions•  •  • http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/space_missions/unmanned_table.html• History of robotic and satellite missions•  • http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/themes/science_and_technology/space/default.stm• On this day time line•  • http://www.apolloexplorer.co.uk/bymission.htm• Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions•  • http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/history.html• NASA archive for manned missions•  • http://www.thespaceplace.com/history/space.html• Space history•  • http://space.about.com/od/spacemissions/tp/MissionsByDecade.htm• Space exploration by the decade