Apollo 13
Lesson Plan: The Apollo 13 Mission - A Successful Failure
Objective:
Students will understand the significance of the Apollo 13 mission, the challenges faced by the crew, and the problem-solving strategies employed to safely return the astronauts to Earth. They will learn about teamwork, resilience, and the importance of space exploration.
Materials Needed:
Computer with internet access for viewing videos and images
Construction paper, markers, glue, and other craft supplies for group activity (optional)
Class Duration:
90 minutes
Lesson Outline:
Introduction (15 minutes)
Begin the class with a brief overview of the Apollo space program, highlighting its goal to land humans on the Moon and safely return them to Earth.
Introduce Apollo 13 as the third mission intended to land on the Moon and discuss its nickname, "A Successful Failure."
Video Presentation (30 minutes)
Show a short documentary or video clip about the Apollo 13 mission to provide a visual and narrative context. Focus on the launch, the accident, the challenges faced, and the successful return.
Discuss the video with the class, emphasizing the key events of the mission.
Interactive Discussion (20 minutes)
Discuss the role of the Service Module and the cause of the explosion. Explain how this unexpected event changed the mission from a lunar landing to a survival mission.
Highlight the importance of teamwork and problem-solving, discussing how NASA and the astronauts worked together to solve the crisis.
Ask students to think about what qualities are important in astronauts and mission control personnel during such emergencies.
Group Activity: Mission Problem-Solving (20 minutes)
Divide the class into small groups and give each a scenario related to space exploration challenges (not limited to Apollo 13). These can include technical malfunctions, navigation problems, or life support system failures.
Each group is tasked with coming up with a creative solution to their given problem, using craft supplies to create a visual representation of their solution.
Allow each group to present their problem and solution to the class, explaining how they worked together to solve the issue.
Reflection and Discussion (15 minutes)
Discuss what the students learned from the activity about teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
Reflect on the broader implications of the Apollo 13 mission for space exploration and the importance of preparing for and overcoming unforeseen challenges.
Homework Assignment
Assign students to write a short essay on what they would have done if they were part of the Apollo 13 mission control team. Ask them to consider the skills and knowledge they would need to help solve the crisis.
Assessment:
Participation in the group activity and discussion.
Evaluation of the problem-solving activity based on creativity, feasibility, and teamwork.
Grading of the homework assignment based on understanding of the mission challenges and reflection on personal skills and teamwork.
This lesson plan aims to engage middle school students with the history of space exploration through the lens of the Apollo 13 mission, fostering an understanding of the importance of resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving in challenging situations.
Additional questions for research
Apollo 13 - A lesson in character
