Welcome to the Astronaut Academy!

Prepare for lift-off, cosmic cadets! This quarter, we’ll explore amazing activities to learn more about space and what it takes to be an astronaut. Gear up to discover new planets, learn about space missions, and even design your own rocket!

• Solar System Scope: Take a virtual tour of the entire Solar System, zoom in on planets, and learn fascinating facts about each celestial body!

Time to see if you have what it takes to become an astronaut! These activities will help you develop the skills and knowledge every space explorer needs.

1. Build a Space Suit
   Activity: Design and build a prototype of your own space suit using household items. Think about the challenges astronauts face in space, like extreme temperatures and zero gravity.
   Objective: Understand the function of each part of a space suit and why it’s essential for survival in space.

2. Gravity Experiment
   Activity: Test how gravity affects different objects by dropping items of various weights and shapes from a height.
   Objective: Discover how Earth’s gravity differs from that of the Moon and Mars and understand the impact on space missions.

3. Rocket Launch Challenge
   Activity: Use a balloon, straw, and string to simulate a rocket launch. Set up the string across the room and see how far your “rocket” can travel!
   Objective: Learn about thrust, propulsion, and Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

Learn how to identify constellations and spot planets in the night sky! These tools and websites will help you become a stargazing expert.

• Stellarium Web: Visit Stellarium Web to explore a live map of the night sky. Find constellations and see where planets are located at any time.
• NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System: Dive into NASA’s interactive simulation to explore current missions and track where they are in real-time.

Check out these stories about space.