Mini-Missions
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)
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
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
Educator registration information and form.