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EDUCATOR FEATURES
Learning More About STS-114

Teacher Section

Objective: To research the upcoming Return to Flight shuttle mission and to create a presentation for the class on a specific STS-114 topic.

Grade Level: 5-8
Subject(s): Science, Technology
Prep Time: < 10 minutes
Duration: Extended
Materials Category: Special

National Education Standards
Science
Science and Technology
        Abilities of technological design
        Understanding about science and technology

Technology
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity and promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications and produce other creative works.
Students use technology to locate, evaluate and collect information from a variety of sources.
Materials:
  • Poster board
  • Markers, colored pencils, crayons, etc.
  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Computers with Internet access
  • Student Page
Pre-lesson Instructions
  • Divide class into groups of two or three to complete the research and create the presentation for this lesson.
  • Cut apart the topic squares and place them in a bag.
  • Remind students of the school’s Internet usage policy.
Background Information

Over two years have passed since the last time the Space Shuttle flew. But, NASA has still been hard at work. Engineers, ground crews, mission controllers and astronauts have all been extremely busy. Preparations continue to roll along at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, for the Space Shuttle fleet's Return to Flight. The first Shuttle scheduled to fly is Discovery on the STS-114 mission to the International Space Station.

Discovery has undergone processing for the flight, which is targeted for summer 2005. In this lesson, students will research on the Internet to learn more about the astronauts who will be a part of this special mission and the tasks that they will undertake when they go into space.

Guidelines
  1. As a class, discuss the upcoming Space Shuttle mission. Have the class share any information they may know about the mission.

  2. Explain to the students that they will be working in groups to create a poster or computer presentation on a specific topic about STS-114. Each group will then present their project to the class to teach their classmates about their topic.

  3. Place the students in groups and have each group choose a topic from the bag.

  4. The Student Page and go over the rubric with the class so they will know how their projects will be evaluated.

  5. Schedule two class periods for students to research and create their projects. Another class period will be needed for presentations.
Discussion/Wrap-up
  • Have each group present its project to the class.
  • Assess each project using the rubric provided.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of student-led instruction.
Extensions
  • Display posters in the classroom or hallways.
  • Have students present their projects to a younger classroom.


Return To Flight Rubric


Group Members: _________________________________________________________


Category
4
3
2
1
Title
 The title can be read clearly and is creative. The title can be read clearly and describes the content well. The title can be read clearly but is not creative. The title is too small and/or does not describe the content of the project well.
Content
 At least seven accurate facts are displayed on the project. Five or six accurate facts are displayed on the project. Three or four accurate facts are displayed on the project. Fewer than three accurate facts are displayed on the project.
Graphics
 Several of the graphics used on the project reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity in the creation and display. One or two of the graphics used on the project reflect student creativity in the creation and display. The graphics are made by the student, but are based on the designs or ideas of others. No graphics made by the student are included.
Attractiveness
 The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. The project is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. The project is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. The project is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive.
Grammar
There are no grammatical mistakes on the project. There is one grammatical mistake on the project. There are two grammatical mistakes on the project. There are more than two grammatical mistakes on the project.

 
Total points out of a possible 20 points: ________________________________


Learning More About STS-114 Student Page



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Editor: Shelley Canright
NASA Official: Brian Dunbar
Last Updated: June 11, 2005
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