In lessons provided in Astronomy 4, students are introduced to the effects of gravity. After testing these effects in class, students are initiated to space exploration with the help of a friendly 'alien'. Space travel is further examined with the viewing of NASA video footage of man's landing on the moon.

"Setting the Stage" - Before starting the computerized program, question your students: Have you been to the moon? Would you like to be an astronaut? Have you heard about the astronauts on the news? Would it be fun to travel into outer space?

"Introduction to Space Travel"
New students learn and/or repeat students immediately review some of the words that will be used throughout this lesson. Students should repeat recognizable items as a group. After repeating these words, encourage discussion about what is real (astronaut) and what is pretend (alien).

"Gravity"
"Zork" the alien is then introduced to the class to talk about the effects of gravity. As directed by "Zork", a student activates the button on the Learning Station to open the door on the Earth that reveals a large magnet.
Hands-on Activity - Examining the power of the magnet will illustrate gravity and its effect on some objects. (Reminder - students should not use a large magnet around computers or the disks)
Hands-on Activity - Students can jump up and down to test gravity. Then, using a ball, talk further about how gravity affects everything on Earth.
Activity - Talk about the powerful engines that are required to lift the spaceship from Earth's gravity. Tell the students to pretend they are astronauts in the capsule of the spaceship ready for liftoff from Earth. To the rumble of liftoff sounds, students should jiggle and shake as they would imagine the astronauts do during the liftoff of a spaceship. Talk about why there is movement and noise inside the space capsule.

"On Board a Spacecraft"
Talk about the communication requirements of space travel. Why do they think communication would be so important? What would students like about space travel? Encourage them to stretch their imagination.
NASA Video - Teachers may want to explain further the sequence of events. The video can be replayed for better understanding as a great deal of material is shown. Remind the students that this is real footage, not a 'pretend movie'. This can also be discussed as they color their picture of the astronauts and space station handout.

"Plan Your Space Trip"
As possible spaceship items appear on the Learning Station, have students identify them. Then, discuss whether it would be useful on a space flight. Discuss small spaces in the craft, how gravity affects all things brought onto the craft, etc.

"The Nine Steps to the Moon"
Using the NASA historical footage, the first manned landing on the moon is shown. Talk about steps in getting to the moon. What would being on the moon feel like? Why did the astronauts land in water upon their return to earth? After student review, videotape individual reports.
Touch-Screen Game - After discussion, the nine steps are shown on the Learning Station. This game again reviews the sequences of the moon launch, landing and return to Earth. Students activate the icons in the correct order. As they progress through the correct order, the spaceship illustration on the right side of the Learning Station will move closer and closer to the moon, then will return safely to Earth. If the sequence is wrong, the spaceship will return and the student will need to start over. This repeats the sequence of events once again. The crowd on the ground will cheer when the trip is successfully completed.
Optional Activity - If the supplies are available, students can build their own child-sized space capsule. Using paint or markers, decorate large packing or moving boxes to look like spaceships. Students can draw buttons and dials to push on the control panel. They can then re-enact their launch as the program is replayed on the Learning Station. OR - Using small oatmeal containers, potato chip containers or any similar-shaped container, students can decorate their (hand-held size) own spaceships to take home. Using markers, draw astronaut markers and/or national flags on sides to identify the space craft. Crumpled red tissue paper can be used as 'fire' during liftoff. A 'nosecone' capsule can be created with folded paper (cone shape) taped or glued to the space craft. String taped to tissues serve as splashdown parachutes. As they are being built, encourage the students to repeat the sequence of events, complete with their own sound effects. The FasTracKids program can be replayed as a review.

Before Students Go Home - Review
How is gravity like a large magnet? How can we test gravity's pull?
Review the sequence of the trip to the moon and back.
What helps the astronauts' spaceship escape Earth's gravitational pull?

Supply List for Activities
"Today I Learned" - parents handout
Large magnet
Lightweight ball
Moonlanding coloring handout
Crayons or markers
Videotape
Optional - Supplies to build space crafts (see above) i.e., boxes, red tissue paper, markers, glue, string, tissues, construction paper.