Space Mission 9: Walking on the Moon (Semester Course)

As Space is becoming increasingly important in most countries around the world, especially given the amount of Space travel that has recently increased, it is more and more important for our children to know, at least basic knowledge about the Space around us, especially about our closest neighbors in space, including our Moon. Exploring and learning about space has never been more interesting, fun, and exciting as it is today! We can all be explorers! 
Schedule Outline:
Day 1: We begin our SM 9 class with an introduction to Earth’s Moon, learning its name, location, and how it orbits around Earth, as well as how it helps Earth. Terminology Learned: Orbit, Natural Satellite, Synchronous Rotation, Tidal Locked, Near-Side, Far-Side
Day 2: Today begins with a review over information covered during our first class, then we discover the 3 basic layers of the Moon and what they are made of, as we dive deep inside its structure. Students will learn to identify each layer from the Crust to its solid Core. Terminology Learned: Crust, Upper Mantle, Lower Mantle, Partial Melt, Outer Core, Inner Core, Zone of Partial Melt, Basalts, Regolith, Seas-Maria, & Mascons.
Day 3: Today we explore the Moon’s gravity, how it influences movement on the Lunar surface, as well as how its gravity affects Earth. Then we will have fun discovering how high we can jump on the surface of the Moon. We then will be introduced to the phases of the Moon as seen from Earth. Terminology Learned: Gravity, Gravitational Field, New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, & Waning Crescent.
Day 4: During this fourth class, we discuss some little-known facts about the Moon & then students will participate in an amazing class review game. Students will be invited to review the layers of the structure of the Moon, its gravity, and other facts we have learned as we play a fun & interactive game, online as a class.
Class 5: Our fifth class begins the Exploration part of our journey to the Moon, as we explore early unmanned missions to the moon, including the types of missions, along with key data and information attained from these missions. Terminology Learned: Launch, Failure, Successful, Orbiter, Impactor, Flyby, Lander, Rover, Launch Vehicle, & Sample Return
Class 6: This class begins with a review of the information covered in our Class #5, then continues to examine the various missions to the moon. During this class, we begin learning about the failed & successful crewed missions to the moon. Terminology Learned: Crewed Orbiter, Crewed Mission, & Crewed Landing
Class 7: During this class, we will be walking on the Moon with the Apollo Missions! We will discover basic discoveries made during these missions, as well as the names of the astronauts who have walked on the moon. 
Class 8: For our last class, we will wrap up our trip to the Moon by discussing its future. As a class, we will talk about the future Moon base/s, human tourism to the Moon, and more. The sky is no limit as each learner will contribute their ideas for what might happen to/with our Moon in the next 50, 100, or 1,000 years! Afterwards, we will play a fun, interactive review game.

The teacher will use a variety of presentation & teaching tools, including videos, discussions, pictures, and interactive games, as we have fun learning all about the wonders of Space together. There will also be additional materials, notes, color pages, and activities the students can complete in the Outschool classroom, for those looking for supplemental materials.

Note: This class is a continuation of Space Mission 1: Astronomy, Astronauts & Exploration. It is not a prerequisite, but is suggested as we learn many facts about space & key terminology which will be utilized during this course as well.