Space Exploration Webquest

1
Space Exploration Webquest

• Space exploration is, historically speaking, a
  new kid on the block. It hasnt 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.

2

• 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

3

• 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

4

• 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.

5

• 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.

6

• Links that will be helpful
•  
• http//www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/09/24/scie
  nce/space/20070924_SPUTNIK_GRAPHIC.htmltab2
• 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_missi
  ons/manned_table.html
• History of manned space missions
•  
•  
• http//www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link/space_missi
  ons/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