New Draft of Common Core and NGSS Standards Alignment Guide
with Our Challenger Missions available for Teachers and Principals
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1960's Space Race Symposium Program at the National Automobile Museum
In addition to our future-oriented, NASA-based Mars Missions at our Sparks Center, we're excited to present this special program:
Fly Me to the Moon!: Simulated Missions
Ever wanted to visit the Moon and see where Neil Armstrong walked? Here’s your chance! In one of only two Advanced Spaceflight Labs in the nation, you’ll use virtual technologies and NASA datasets to explore the lunar surface, just as it was when we first planted the flag in 1969.
Living in Space: Animals, People and a Base on the Moon
As Chief Veterinarian for NASA, Dr. Simmonds flew five mice to the Moon, studied the vestibular system of fish on Skylab and was tasked with running a joint animal science program for NASA and our Cold War foes, the Soviet Union.
He also served on a think tank for determining the requirements for a base on the Moon. He will lead participants in a brainstorming activity based on this challenge.
Mariner 4: NASA’s Amazing 1965 Mission to Mars
In the 1960s America raced Russia to the Moon; America’s Mariner 4 was also the first spacecraft to fly by Mars! “The spacecraft had a television camera, which took 22 television pictures covering about 1% of the planet.” (NASA.gov) It was a mission that changed our perceptions of the Red Planet forever! (Click here to see a retrospective video about this Mission.)
Explore Mars with Challenger Center team members — and get an insight into how this 1960’s project paved the way for our current and future Mars missions.
Meanwhile, Back at Mission Control
Tom Taormina was inspired to head to NASA by President Kennedy’s Moon speeches. He ended up working at Mission Control the night that fateful call came in: “Houston, we have a problem.”
Learn about what it was like to work for NASA in the Golden Age of Apollo. Also discover how Ham radio enthusiasts have combined their hobby with space exploration.
Sparks in Space: Rocketdyne and the Nevada Field Laboratory
The rocket engines that allowed us to lift off from the Moon and return to Earth were built by Rocketdyne and tested at the Nevada Field Laboratory, not far from Sparks. In this session, you’ll discover more about this once top secret facility.
You’ll also have a chance to experiment with some rocket activities you can use with students. Excitingly, it IS rocket science — with a little fun and history mixed in too!
We Choose Space!: An Immersive Digital Dome Presentation
Onboard our “Spaceship Earth” digital dome, you’ll get a snapshot of space exploration, from a clip of President Kennedy’s 1962 address and America’s first human spaceflight to a tour of the International Space Station.
You’ll also get a peek at how mobile devices can put a planetarium in the palm of your hand — and the hands of your students.
Click here for Resources related to the above sessions.
Fly Me to the Moon!: Simulated Missions
Ever wanted to visit the Moon and see where Neil Armstrong walked? Here’s your chance! In one of only two Advanced Spaceflight Labs in the nation, you’ll use virtual technologies and NASA datasets to explore the lunar surface, just as it was when we first planted the flag in 1969.
Living in Space: Animals, People and a Base on the Moon
As Chief Veterinarian for NASA, Dr. Simmonds flew five mice to the Moon, studied the vestibular system of fish on Skylab and was tasked with running a joint animal science program for NASA and our Cold War foes, the Soviet Union.
He also served on a think tank for determining the requirements for a base on the Moon. He will lead participants in a brainstorming activity based on this challenge.
Mariner 4: NASA’s Amazing 1965 Mission to Mars
In the 1960s America raced Russia to the Moon; America’s Mariner 4 was also the first spacecraft to fly by Mars! “The spacecraft had a television camera, which took 22 television pictures covering about 1% of the planet.” (NASA.gov) It was a mission that changed our perceptions of the Red Planet forever! (Click here to see a retrospective video about this Mission.)
Explore Mars with Challenger Center team members — and get an insight into how this 1960’s project paved the way for our current and future Mars missions.
Meanwhile, Back at Mission Control
Tom Taormina was inspired to head to NASA by President Kennedy’s Moon speeches. He ended up working at Mission Control the night that fateful call came in: “Houston, we have a problem.”
Learn about what it was like to work for NASA in the Golden Age of Apollo. Also discover how Ham radio enthusiasts have combined their hobby with space exploration.
Sparks in Space: Rocketdyne and the Nevada Field Laboratory
The rocket engines that allowed us to lift off from the Moon and return to Earth were built by Rocketdyne and tested at the Nevada Field Laboratory, not far from Sparks. In this session, you’ll discover more about this once top secret facility.
You’ll also have a chance to experiment with some rocket activities you can use with students. Excitingly, it IS rocket science — with a little fun and history mixed in too!
We Choose Space!: An Immersive Digital Dome Presentation
Onboard our “Spaceship Earth” digital dome, you’ll get a snapshot of space exploration, from a clip of President Kennedy’s 1962 address and America’s first human spaceflight to a tour of the International Space Station.
You’ll also get a peek at how mobile devices can put a planetarium in the palm of your hand — and the hands of your students.
Click here for Resources related to the above sessions.
