Space

Astronomer Mike Brown has been given the nickname “Pluto Killer” (which he doesn’t mind).   Gather some information about Mike Brown and write a defense about why this is a good nickname for him.

The U.S. federal government is always looking for ways to trim the budget and save money.  One idea that is frequently suggested is to cut funding for space exploration and to eliminate federal money given to space observatories and labs.  Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper recommending that further money be given to NASA and the study of outer space.  Provide sound reasons for the funding and defend your reasons.

We all know that Pluto is no longer considered to be a planet by astronomers.  Research the characteristics of this heavenly body and decide for yourself if you think that Pluto should be a planet.  Justify your decision.

–Take a stand about whether you believe there is life anywhere in the rest of the universe.  Justify your reasoning.

–President Barack Obama has said, “Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. It's time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and work to restore America's place as the world leader in science and technology.”  Appraise this statement in terms of space exploration.

–Predict how human activity might change the Earth’s atmosphere and then assess the effects this might have on mankind.  Recommend steps to safeguard the atmosphere of the Earth.

––Visit NASA’s Space Place for Kids, review the information provided, choose a collection of videos and fun facts to share, and via a classroom blog, wiki, or website make recommendations to other classrooms about the value of each item in your collection.

–––You are part of a team that is travelling to the moon to set up a space colony.  You can choose 5 people to take with you who are not trained astronauts.  Make a list of your 5 people, list their qualities that made you choose them, and defend why they would be good choices to be part of the first space colony.

–Debate the value of the U.S. government possibly allocating future funds for space exploration.