Introduction
In this lesson you
introduce your students to the Target Moon
mission. Raise student motivation and keep
it high throughout the entire experience by
setting the stage for your live simulation.
Use the PowerPointŪ presentation provided as
a tool to introduce the scenario to your
students. Your students will learn the
context of the mission and the roles they
will have on Mission Day.
Duration
10-15 minutes: Introduce
the mission scenario
45 minutes: PowerPoint,
vocabulary, team review, questions &
discussion
Vocabulary
comet: a celestial body
consisting of a solid nucleus surrounded by
an envelope of dust and gass and having an elongated tail;
revolves around the Sun.
diameter: a straight
line segment through the center of a figure,
especially a circle or sphere.
ejecta: debris that is
kicked up by a comet when it impacts the
Moon.
helium-3: used as a
clean source for nuclear power generators.
ilmenite: a mineral used
to extract oxygen and make jetpack
propellants.
latitude: a distance
north or south of the Earth’s equator
measured in degrees on a map or globe.
longitude: a distance
along Earth’s surface measured east or west
from the prime meridian.
ZOPI: zone of probable
impact; the region where there is a 95
percent probability that the comet will hit.
Materials
- “Mission
Briefing” PowerPointŪ presentation
- A computer
connected to a projector to display the
PowerPointŪ presentation
- A screen for
projecting the presentation
Teacher Preparation
- Review the
mission scenario and PowerPointŪ to become
oriented with the Target Moon mission.
- Read and become
familiar with the vocabulary section of this
lesson.
- Set up a
computer, projector, and screen to present
the PowerPoint.
Procedure
- To get students
thinking about the mission, ask the
following questions:
- What is a
simulation? A simulation is an imitation
of a real event that allows participants
to experience an activity in a safe
environment.
- How are simulations
used? Simulations are used to help
people prepare for emergencies and to
teach them how to react in real-life
situations. In simulations people can
make mistakes in a safe environment and
learn from them.
- What are some ways
in which we can prepare for our
simulation? Class members can practice
the math skills they will encounter in
the mission and practice the jobs they
will have on Mission Day.
- Introduce the
vocabulary words to the students and discuss
the meanings.
- Show the
PowerPoint presentation to your students.
- Allow time for
questions and discussion.
Discussion Tips
The main idea they
should get from this lesson is that they are
going to be part of a simulation that has a
specific storyline. Discussion of the
storyline will create the context for all of
the facts and concepts to which they will be
introduced. Special Comments
This class is one of the
most important in terms of student
motivation. As the “movie director,” you set
the scene, create the story, and help your
“actors” prepare for their roles.
|