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.
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Links that will be helpful:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/09/24/science/space/20070924_SPUTNIK_GRAPHIC.ht
ml#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