Embedded Files
These stand-alone investigations can be used by teachers of any curriculum, but they are also designed to complement Mi-STAR units.
Suggested Classroom Use: Use the Science Communicator lesson with Unit 8.4.
Read this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 7.3) about scientists who explore the solar system by steering spacecraft, studying asteroids, and chasing eclipses.
Note: Due to the length of this article, you may want to break students into groups and ask each group to read the introduction and then one of the three sections. Student groups can share what they have learned with the class.
Suggested classroom use: Have students answer classroom questions before, during, and after reading. (Note: Teachers will need to provide an email address to register for free access to the questions.)
Read this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 7.1) about scientists and engineers at NASA who worked on the New Horizons spacecraft that visited Pluto. Video and audio interviews are also included throughout the article.
Note: Due to the length of this article, you may want to break students into groups and ask each group to read the introduction and then one of the three sections. Student groups can share what they have learned with the class.
Suggested classroom use: Ask students to complete these classroom questions before, during, and after reading. (Note: Teachers will need to provide an email address to register for free access to the questions.)
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an aerospace engineer? Meet several engineers who work for companies like NASA and GE Aviation in this video (7:02) and learn what kind of skills and education are needed for this exciting career.
Suggested classroom use: Students can complete this graphic organizer.
Suggested classroom use: Have students complete this student guide for one of the Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers videos below.
Michio Kaku is a theoretical physicist. He was inspired to study physics at the age of eight after hearing about an unfinished manuscript on Albert Einstein's desk. Includes a video (1:55), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Meet Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to go into space. Find out how she went from medical school to applying to be an astronaut, something she'd always dreamed of being. Includes a video (2:35), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses how the universe "called" him to "study the cosmos". Includes a video (2:20), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Find out how the iconic "Bill Nye the Science Guy" became interested in science and went from engineering to a TV legend. Includes a video (3:39), teaching tips, and support materials for use with students.
Note: This video is also linked in Unit 6.4 and Unit 7.4.
Read this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 7.3) to learn about an astronaut who worked as a NASA flight surgeon before becoming an astronaut himself.
Suggested Classroom Use: Ask students to create a "one-pager" by following these guidelines. This could be a low-prep sub-plan activity.
In this "Science News Explores" article (readability score: 6.5), learn about how materials engineers have designed a new fabric to mimic polar bear fur.
Suggested Classroom Use: After reading the article, have students practice analyzing data like an astronomer by answering the "Data Dive" questions at the end of the article.
Suggested Classroom Use: Show one of the videos below as a warm-up or when there are only a few minutes of class time left. Utilize one of the reflection forms below with students.
Use this Career Connections Video Student Reflection Guide to engage your students!
Use this LINK video reflection resource to help students focus.
Use this graphic organizer from education.com. Ask students to research any information that isn't provided in the video.
Teachers need to create a free account to access the organizer.
Astronomer | Curious About Careers
In this short video (2:00), Jillian Bellovary talks about being an astronomer and describes how she studies black holes.
Astronaut | Curious About Careers
In this short video (2:00), Jessica Meir shares what it is like to be an astronaut and talks about being part of the first all-female spacewalk.
Michael Barratt: The Astronaut Who Studied Zoology in College | My Path
Listen to an astronaut who took an unusual path to his career (3:16).
Victor Glover: Before He Was an Astronaut, He Was Stocking Shelves at 7-Eleven | My Path
Victor talks about how facing challenges helped him on his quest to become an astronaut (3:44).
Danielle Richey: Learning from a $1 Million Mistake | My Path
How you learn from failure is what's important according to Danielle, who works on the Orion spacecraft (3:13).
In this video (5:08), meet Dr. Aomawa Shields, an astronomer and astrophysicist at UCLA in California. She explains how climate models are used during her search for extraterrestrial life on exoplanets throughout the universe.
What happens to some of NASA's cool inventions? Find out in this video (2:58) and learn about what a technology transfer specialist does.
Meet an actual rocket scientist in this video (2:15). Learn more about how she uses her STEAM skills design rockets to get man and machines to the moon.
Watch this video (2:31) to meet a planetary protection engineer who works to prevent germ transmission between planets.
Learn more about the job of an electrical engineer at NASA. Watch this video (3:26) to find out how he uses his mind and his hands as he develops new technologies.
Meet a planetary research scientist in this video (4:02). Learn how her research in Antarctica is related to learning about Mars.
Watch this video (8:14) to learn more about the field of planetary geology!
Meet an astronomer in this video (1:46) who says that no two days are the same in his job. He also discovered a planet! Hear his advice for others who are interested in a career in astronomy.
Meet a NASA engineer who is reinventing the wheel! Watch this video (5:06) to learn how she is working to design tires for use on the moon. Hear her advice to help students choose their own career path.
Not everybody that works at NASA is a rocket scientist or an astronaut. Meet a NASA dive specialist who helps to train astronauts using a swimming pool. Find out more in this video (4:58).
Have you ever wondered where the astronauts at the International Space Station get the air that they breathe? Find out more in this video (4:45) about an aerospace technician who helps package air for the astronauts.
Watch this video (4:16) to learn about soft robotics and how it is being used at NASA. Learn more about this STEM career that incorporates biology, robotics, coding, math, and creativity.
So, how exactly do people get a job at NASA? Watch this video (5:54) with six NASA employees to discover how each of them followed a different path to NASA. Some of their stories may surprise you!
Find out more about all of the computer science related jobs at NASA in this video (5:59). Also, hear advice for those who are intimidated by coding.
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