3 - 2 - 1 - Blast Off! | Create WebQuest

Introduction

3-2-1 Blast Off!

Welcome to the
Space Readiness Center
of the future.

You have been selected to train for a space mission!

Learn as much as you can about space travel and our galaxy to prepare for an upcoming space trip. The destination is top secret, so you will need to learn about many destinations in order to be prepared.

Task

Prepare For Your Mission

Your task is to find out all you can about being an astronaut.

You will also need to find out about our galaxy, stars, and planets.

You will use the information you find to safely go on a mission.

Finally, you will create your own solar system.

Process

Life as an Astronaut

Before you travel into outer space you will need to learn about what an astronaut's life is like in a space vehicle.

First go to the video below to experience a lift-off. This is of the space shuttle, Discovery, lifting off. Make sure the volume on your computer is turned up high so you can get an idea of how loud take-off is.

Space shuttle lift off video

Go to the website below to learn some things about the experiences an astronaut has. (There are some ads in the middle of this page. Scroll past them to see the rest of the page.) At the end of the article there is a video of two astronauts on the space station answering questions from students in Oregon. Watch this video (It is about 20 minutes long.) Fill in the worksheet labeled Life in Space.

Life in Space

The Milky Way

Now that you know a little bit about living in space it is time to find out about the part of the universe we live in.

We live in something called the Milky Way.
Click on the link below to watch a video that tells about the Milky Way.

What Is The Milky Way?

Read the web page below to learn more about the Milky Way.

The Milky Way

Can you answer some questions about the Milky Way? Fill in the paper called Milky Way.

Stars

The Milky way is huge. It contains billions of stars. Now it's time to learn about stars. Look at the web page links below and then fill in your Stars worksheet.

Stars

Astronomy for Kids: Stars

Sun and Solar System

One of the stars in the Milky Way is our sun. The planet Earth revolves around the sun along with 7 other planets. Let's learn about these planets. Maybe you will be visiting one of them on your mission.

Look at the following web pages to learn about our solar system. Use the Solar System form to fill in important information about each planet.

Exploring our Solar System video

On the site below, you can "catch" a planet to learn about it and you can also scroll down and click on buttons for each planet to find more information about them.

All About Our Solar System

Where Will You Go?

Now that you have learned about our galaxy and the objects and places found in it, you will be going on your space mission. It was top secret because no one knew where you would get to go - you get to choose your own destination!!!

Choose one of the things in our galaxy: stars, a planet, a moon, etc., that you think would be a good place to visit and explore. Write a story of at least three paragraphs telling where you would want to go. Include where you want to go, why this would be a good place to explore, and what you would hope to find in or on this place. You may include how you would get there, how long it would take, and other details that help make writing interesting. When you are done with this webquest you will share your story with the class.

A New Solar System

Scientists on Earth have only been able to study and take pictures of our Solar System. Many scientists think there could be other solar systems in the universe that may be discovered in the future. You are going to use the web page below to create your own idea of a solar system.

You may put between one and nine planets in this solar system. When you go to the page, there is a short video that tells you how to use the program. After you have watched it, click on the button that says Click Here to Try This. When you are finished with your solar system you may print it. Ask your teacher for help.

Solar System Maker

Share your solar system with your classmates. Talk about it. Why did you name your planets what you did? Would there be life on any of your planets? Which planet would you like to explore?

Conclusion

The Space Readiness Center was pleased to have you in their program.
You learned a lot about space and are ready to go on a space mission.
Maybe you will be able to take more trips into space in the future!