Mini-Missions

NESSP’s mini-mission program offers curriculum and supplies to educator-led activities across the northwest region. Our mini-missions work well in a variety of situations from summer camps to Scouting activities to after-school programs.

What is a Mini-Mission?

Mini-missions are short versions of NESSP ROADS programs. Educators in the northwest (Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska) are invited to use these activities to host a day camp with students in their community in July or August 2023.  Stipends and materials are available for educators that attend Mini-Mission training. See the details for each Mini-Mission below, and join us for an information session.

Important dates for Summer 2023:

  • Mini-Mission Information Sessions:
    • May 17th, 2023, 4:30 to 5 pm, PST
    • May 24th, 2023, 5:30 to 6 pm PST
    • Note: Sessions will be recorded and posted to NESSP’s YouTube page.
  • Mini-mission Training:
    • Several three-hour sessions will be available
    • June 12th-June 17th, 2023.
  • Mini-mission Registration
    • May 15th-June 19th, 2023

(See our events page for links and more information.)

 

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission

The Artemis ROADS mini-mission is a weeklong set of activities based on NESSP’s 2022-2023 national challenge. Students will complete a set of hands-on activities that will help them learn about NASA’s current Artemis missions that will put humans back on the Moon!

Grade Levels: 3-12

Suggested Length: 5 days

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission Advisor Guide

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission Student Workbook (Mission Development Log)

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission Resource Folder (Coming Soon)

Artemis ROADS Mini-Mission Suggested Schedule(s)

Flier to Advertise

Educator registration information and form. 

ROADS on Icy Worlds Mini-Mission

Students will spend the week completing a series of hands-on activities that mimic aspects of planning a rover mission to an icy world like Europa. The activities are a mix of science and engineering with lots of hands-on, student-led activities.

Grade Levels: 3-12

Suggested Length: 5 days

Icy Worlds Mini-Mission Guide

Icy Worlds Mini-Mission Files

Suggested weekly agenda

Materials List 

Flier to Advertise

Educator registration information and form. 

 

James Webb Mini-Mission

Learn about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) with hands-on NASA-themed activities.

Activity 1: Launch Code Quest

Students will complete a game that allows them to learn about the history of JWST and what part of the electromagnetic spectrum it will use to study the universe and its main targets.

Activity 2: Telescope and Optics

Students will compare a Celestron FirstScope, Hubble, and the James Webb telescope and learn light refraction and magnification with lenses.

Activity 3: Build-Your-Own Telescope

Students will investigate the main elements of a space telescope and design their own with an iterative and collaborative approach.

Activity 4: Science Goals Scavenger Hunt 

Students will use the World Wide Telescope to hunt down images of potential targets for the JWST to observe and make an 18-hexagon collage!

Grade Levels: 6-10

Suggested Length: 3 days

Mission Guide

Suggested schedule

Materials List

Flier to Advertise

Educator registration information and form.