Space Exploration Magazine
For the next unit you will be working on a magazine that explores space and technology. You are able
to work alone, in pairs or groups of 3. However, the number of tasks you are assigned increases with
the more group members you have.
You will be given quizzes, both take home and in class throughout the unit and will complete a unit
final at the end of the topic. The magazine must be completed for Thursday February 7.
You will be graded based on the following rubric:
4- the tasks demonstrate exceptional understanding and effort
3- the tasks demonstrate average understanding and effort
2- the tasks demonstrate basic understanding and effort
1- the tasks demonstrate minimal understanding and effort
By the end of this unit you should be able to answer the following focus questions:
I. How (and in what ways) have humans gained a presence in space?
II. What technologies have been developed in order to achieve the presence in space?
III. How has the development of these technologies contributed to the exploration, use and
understanding of space and how have the technologies benefited us on Earth?
Task Assignments:
Groups of 1: Tasks 1-9
Groups of 2: Tasks 1-10 plus 3 more tasks from the list provided
Groups of 3: Tasks 1-10 plus 5 more tasks from the list provided
Task List
1.
Describe how human understanding of earth and space has changed over time and how
technology has helped us to better understand them. pp. 370-376
o Earth centered
o Aboriginal views
o Cultural views
o How observation has played a role
2. Describe how technological advances (optical telescopes, spectral analysis and space travel)
have increased our understanding of space. pp. 377-382 and pp. 434- 454
3. Describe generally, the distribution of matter in space. pp. 384-391
o Stars (birth and death)
o Black holes
o Star groups
o Galaxies
4. Compare the characteristics of other bodies in our solar system to Earth. pp. 395-400 (This
information should be put into a chart.)
5. Describe the technology that makes space travel possible. pp. 408-417
o Multi stage rockets
o Shuttles and space stations
6. Describe technological advances that make space exploration possible. pp. 421-422
o Life support
o Recycling of gases
o Food/Waste
7. Describe how space technology is used to meet human needs on earth. pp.427-432
o Medicine
o Remote sensing
o Wireless communication
o Synthesis of fuel
o Artifical satellites
8. Describe the pros and cons of living in space and describe some of the political, ethical, and
environmental issues. pp. 464-468
9. Create a Magazine cover page, table of contents and one advertisement for your magazine.
10. Describe the dangers of space exploration. pp. 457-459
o Space junk
o Fuel expenditure
o Solar radiation
o Accidents
Additional Tasks (for groups of 2 or 3)
11. Telling Sundial Time p. 377
12. How Big is the Sun? p. 380-381
13. Take a Walk Through the Solar System p.382
14. Stabilizing Rocket Flight p. 411
15. Sharing a Small Place in Space p.418
16. Space Station Design p. 424
17. Interview an Astronaut (see p. 426 for one example, but you could research any Astronaut, past
or present)
18. Analyzing Parallax p. 451
19. What Does it Take to Become an Astronaut? p. 462
20. Create a task of your choice. This must be Ok’ed with your teacher first.
Depending on the size of your group, you will be required to have a certain number of pieces
of each of the following formats:
Groups of 1
Groups of 2 Groups of 3
Written articles (summarized in your own words)
1
2
3
Charts
1
1
2
Interviews
-
-
1
Q & A- ask the expert
2
3
3
Letters to the editor
2
3
3
Other: Crosswords, Cartoons, Horoscopes,
advertisements, Did You Know, Do it Yourself,
Skycharts, Wordsearch, Fact List
2
3
1
See some of the magazine examples in class to get a better idea of the above formats.