Introduction
Your have been selected by NASA to explore the universe. You will explore the universe in a series of missions. You will need to keep a mission log with all of your findings to report back
to Mrs Gillum and NASA.

Mission Log
For each mission, you will attempt to master 1-4 learning goals, provided in the form of questions. Resources to support your quest are provided online at Mrs. Gillum’s Web page:
http://www.mrsgillumscience.com/16_8th/16_8_dir.htm 
 While researching, take notes to facilitate your quest. Once confident you’ve met the learning goals, use your notes to complete the Mission Log Little Books!

Mission Timeline         

Each Mission Little Book will be evaluated individually using this Rubric scale:

Mission 1: Space Exploration
Mrs. Gillum & NASA are curious about potential space travel competitors. Use the provided resources to investigate (spy on) other space agencies to see their latest breakthroughs in space exploration. Record your findings in your mission log .

Learning Goals
1.How are humans currently exploring space?
... Consider focusing on just one space agency and/or one specific mission.
2. How might humans explore space in the future?

Resources: Videos: see https://youtube.com/mrsg9064
(there are about 30+ videos here. Look for the ones that will help you!)

• NASA & JPL’s Current Missions
• 6 Private Companies That Could Launch Humans Into Space June 4, 2010
• SpaceX
• Colonizing Mars – 9/28/16
• Virgin Galactic
• Other International Space Programs (Wikipedia):
• Russia
• China
• Japan
• NYT – Kepler’s Tally of Planets
• Mrs Gillum and the NASA NEAT program: click here
  Zero G Flight Video: Click here..... Zero G photos: click here
  MrsG at the last Shuttle Launch: here

Mission 2: Space Travel & Distances
Mrs Gillum & NASA have secretly been developing a high-velocity, law-breaking space shuttle that transports large crews to its covert lunar base, Luna Headquarters. They have selected you to beta-test this new technology. Prior to departure, plan for a lengthy trip into space.

Learning Goals
1. How is distance measured in our solar system and beyond?
2. What natural resources are required for surviving, and traveling in, space?
3. What is the difference between rotation and revolution?
4. What force is responsible for space motion?

Resources : Videos: see https://youtube.com/mrsg9064
Additional Sources: .Chp 18: Video Directory:
Little Book: Virtual Lab 1 Glenco: click here
Little Book: Virtual Lab 2: click here
Little Book: Virtual Lab 3: click here
Chapter 18 reading: pdf

• Units for Distance and Size in the Universe
• NASA “Human Needs: Sustaining Life During Exploration“
• Measuring the age and size of the Universe
• Encyclopedia.com – Revolution & Rotation
• Magnifying the Universe
  Recyling water on the ISS (article)
  

Mission 3: Planets
Congratulations! After a tremulous launch and surprisingly smooth journey, you have safely landed on the moon. Your team temporarily meets at Luna Headquarters to plan for this newest mission. Mrs Gillum & NASA are considering a series of additional headquarters, spread throughout the solar system. You will be tasked with investigating the inner planets followed with an investigation of the outer planets.  At the end of your investigation, reconvene to compare & contrast the planets in order to propose a possible headquarter.  If you have additional time, consider furthering your study to include the newest classification of planets.

Learning Goals
1. What features do the inner planets share? click here for questions 1-4
2. What features do the outer planets share?
3. Compare and contrast the inner and outer planets.
4. Where does Pluto belong in this classification system?

Resources Videos: see https://youtube.com/mrsg9064
Additional information: Chp 18: Video Directory:

• NASA’s Planets
• OMG Space
• Brainpop – videos for each planet
• Crash Course Astronomy – videos for each planet
  

Mission 4: Moon
You safely arrive back at Luna Headquarters, exhausted from your planet exploration. It is now time to rest and explore the moon in greater detail. From Earth’s point-of-view, the moon is just starting its lunar cycle as a new moon. You will explore the backside of the moon and investigate how the sun’s light changes over the course of the month (Phases) and finish with monitoring the lunar base while document the Lunar Eclipse occurring in two weeks. At the end of the month cycle, you will reconvene to share your findings in order to model the Sun-Moon-Earth System.

Learning Goals
1. What are the phases of the moon?
2. How does a lunar eclipse differ from a solar eclipse?
3. How do the sun, the moon, and the Earth affect each other?

Resources Videos: see https://youtube.com/mrsg9064
Additional information: Chp 17: Video Directory:

• Brainpop: Moon Phases , Eclipse
• Phase of the Moon Interactive
• PBS Phases of the Moon Interactive 
• Lunar Phase Simulator
• Eclipse Interactive 
• Review web site link: here
  Virtual labs about the Moon:
  Virtual Lab1: / Virtual Lab2: /
  Virtual Lab3: Virtual Reality Moon Phase Pictures /
  moon diagram / The Moon’s Phases /
  

Mission 5: Space Objects
You are nearly complete with your missions. Prior to returning home to Earth, Mrs Gillum & NASA would like you to forage other space objects for natural resources in order to restock the lunar base.  You will be traveling to comets, asteroids, and meteoroids.  Before embarking, you should identify the region in the solar system where each space object may be found. After arriving on the space object, you will identify the potential resources, if any, available for human use.

Learning Goals
1. What is the composition of a comet and where are they primarily located?
2. What is the composition of an asteroid and where are they primarily located?
3. What is the composition of a meteoroid and where are they primarily located?

Resources Videos: see https://youtube.com/mrsg9064
Additional information: Chp 19: Video Directory

• NASA – Comets
• NASA – Asteroids
• NASA – Meteors & Meteorites
• Brainpop – Asteroids, Comets