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, including all scientists have now learned about Black Holes & Exoplanets! Plus, most learners find this topic to be extremely interesting as their young minds get to explore the possibilities of Space: making it perfect for the explorer in all of us!
Note: This class is a continuation of Space Mission: Astronomy, Astronauts & Exploration & that class is a prerequisite class for this one as we learn many facts about space & key terminology which will be utilized during this course as well. 
Schedule Outline:
Class 1: Today, students will learn all about Astronauts. We will first define what an “Astronaut” is, and then discuss what they do in space and how they contribute to human space exploration and our overall understanding of space. Focus will be on the term “astronaut”, and identifying the key astronauts and their contributions to humanity during their space missions, from the 1950’s – 1970’s. (Key Terminology: Astronaut, Cosmonaut, Mission, Pilot, Mission Specialist, Karman Line, Thermosphere)

Class 2: During this class, students will review the term “Astronaut” & the names of the astronauts we learned in our first lesson. Afterwards, we continue our exploration of important contributions by astronauts and their various space missions, from the 1980’s – present. Focus will be on learning the Astronauts’ names and their major accomplishments during their missions. (Key Terminology: Astronaut, Joint Mission, Crewed-Mission, shuttle, space station)

Class 3: Today we discover the newest mission plans for our astronauts. We will look at NASA’s plans for future human missions and bases on the Moon and even Mars, as well as discuss possible other manned missions to further out regions of our Solar System. We will explore the ideas and what these bases might look like, and discuss the likelihood of human survival on these foreign bodies in space. (Key Terminology: Manned Spacecraft, Lunar base, Artemis Mission)

Class 4: During this class, students will discover how astronauts train to go into space. We will focus on various training methods used by NASA and other space agencies to train humans to survive while working in space, including the pulling away and re-entry from Earth’s gravity. We will see some amazing machines that simulate space travel, as well as swimming pools used to train astronauts how to operate in the microgravity or zero gravity they will feel while completing their missions outside of the space craft. (Key Terminology: replica, NBL, SVMF, weightlessness, zero gravity, microgravity, EVA). 

Class 5: Today’s class will allow students a detailed look at an astronaut spacesuit. Focus will be on the different parts of the spacesuit, how it works, how an astronaut puts on a spacesuit, as well as current changes being made to the basic design of the spacesuits. (Key Terminology: Spacesuits, EMU, zero gravity, EVA, microgravity). 

Class 6: In today’s class, we will look at how astronauts live and work in space. We will take a look at how astronauts sleep, eat, work, and live in space for months or even up to a year. Focus will be on the methods and techniques of living in microgravity, as well as how space travel can have long-term, negative effects on the human body, and ways astronauts are combating those effects while in space. 

Class 7: During this class, students will discover how to become an astronaut themselves. They will learn the areas of study and career paths which NASA and other space agencies actively look for in their astronaut applicants; as well as ways they can start preparing for a possible career as an astronaut. We will discuss specific things they can do now to plan and train themselves to become better astronaut candidates for the future.

Class 8: We end our course with a motivating & exciting review. We will play a fun, interactive Review Game, summarizing all we have learned & discovered about Astronauts and Human Space Exploration. 

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 Astronauts and Human Space Exploration 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.

*Recommended (but not required) Prerequisite Course: Space Mission 1: Astronomy, Astronauts & Exploration