From Earth to Venus – Lesson 1: Documenting Your Mission
Lesson Summary
In this lesson: First, students will learn some basics about NASA’s exploration of Venus. They will then learn more about NASA’s Venus missions by playing a Loteria game and reviewing resources in the “Getting Up to Speed” document. Students will learn about the Mission Objectives (MO) and identify their funds of knowledge that are relevant for each MO. They will look at past examples of project documentation and start their (1) individual Science & Engineering Notebooks and (2) team MDL.
Lesson level question: How can students apply documentation practices to keep track of their mission to Venus?
Engage
Students will explore some introductory materials about NASA and Venus and compile a list of their questions on these topics.
Explore
Students will learn more about NASA’s missions to Venus by playing a Loteria game. Then, students will review the ‘Getting Up to Speed’ document.
Explain
Students will learn about the Mission Objectives (MOs) and identify their Funds of Knowledge that are relevant for each MO.
Elaborate
Students will learn about the Science & Engineering Notebooks and the Mission Development Log (MDL).
Evaluate
Students will start their personal Science & Engineering Notebook and their team’s Mission Development Log (MDL).
Extend (optional)
Students can either explore notebooks that past and present scientists, engineers, and designers have made (Option 1) or explore careers related to this lesson (Option 2).
Standards Alignment
Each lesson includes standards alignment information for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Many lessons also include information on alignment opportunities for: CCSS Mathematics, CCSS English, WA State Learning Standards in Computer Science, WA State Standards in Social Emotional Learning.
In these documents, you will find an alignment summary, followed by details for each lesson: