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21st CENTURY EXPLORER
Are we there yet?
Why do astronauts eat tortillas instead of bread?
How would your body change in space?
How can we travel faster in space?
What will replace the Space Shuttle?
Why do robots travel places before people?
Why return to the Moon before going to Mars?
Why do we want to study and travel to Mars?
Where would a space explorer find water and oxygen?
What would you find on the Moon’s surface?
What would you hear in a weather report from Mars?
How will your imagination help you become an explorer?
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HOW CAN WE TRAVEL FASTER IN SPACE?

Glossary

chemical propulsion system – a rocket’s fuel system which keeps the liquid fuel and its oxidizer separate until they are allowed to mix and launch the rocket

glider - a vehicle designed to fly without an engine

hydrogen – the simplest and lightest of the elements; normally a colorless, odorless gas

Nuclear thermal propulsion – heats a fluid, usually hydrogen, in a high temperature nuclear reactor that creates thrust to move the rocket in space

space shuttle – reusable U.S. space vehicle consisting of a winged orbiter, two solid-rocket boosters, and an external tank
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NATIONAL EDUCATION RESOURCES
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NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS
National Science Education Standards (NSES)

Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry

  • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry (K–8)
  • Understandings about scientific inquiry (K–8)

Content Standard B: Physical Science

  • Properties of objects and materials (K-4)
  • Position and motion of objects (K-4)
  • Properties and changes of properties in matter (5–8)
  • Motions and forces (5–8)
  • Transfer of energy (5–8)

Content Standard E: Science and Technology Standards

  • Abilities of technological design (K-8)
  • Understanding about science and technology (K-8)

Content Standard G: Science as a Human Endeavor

  • Science as a human endeavor (K-8)
  • History of science (5-8)

International Technology Education Association (ITEA)

Design

  • Standard 8: Students will develop an understanding of the attributes of design.

National Mathematics Education Standards (NCTM)

Number and Operations Standard

  • Compute fluently and make reasonable estimates
    • develop fluency in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers;

Algebra

  • Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative
    • develop model problem situations with objects and use representations such as graphs, tables, and equations to draw conclusions.

Measurement Standard

  • Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements
    • select and use benchmarks to estimate measurements;

Data Analysis and Probability Standard

  • Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them
    • collect data using observations, surveys, and experiments;
    • represent data using tables and graphs such as line plots, bar graphs, and line graphs;

Reasoning and Proof

  • Recognize reasoning and proof as fundamental aspects of mathematics
  • Develop and evaluate mathematical arguments and proofs