NASA explorer school
Students enrolled in the Elementary Learning Collaborative
also participate in our whole-school magnet as NASA Explorers!
also participate in our whole-school magnet as NASA Explorers!
Students enjoy NASA enrichment daily in their classrooms and through activities in NASA Lab and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) classes. Each May, all students participate in a whole school NASA-themed unit. During these exciting units, students participate in hands-on activities, research, read, write about what they have learned and create artifacts related to their studies. At the beginning of the next school year,
displays of student work creates a wonderful beginning to our year!
We have enjoyed many units to include, Reading, Writing, and Rings, Destination: Mars,
Mission: Total Solar Eclipse, ISS: Off the Earth, For the Earth . . . and In the Classroom!,
Destination: Moon, and Celebrating Apollo: NASA’s First Steps.
displays of student work creates a wonderful beginning to our year!
We have enjoyed many units to include, Reading, Writing, and Rings, Destination: Mars,
Mission: Total Solar Eclipse, ISS: Off the Earth, For the Earth . . . and In the Classroom!,
Destination: Moon, and Celebrating Apollo: NASA’s First Steps.
Our students also have the benefit of participating in two classes unique to Forest Lake:
Project Lead the Way and our NASA Lab.
Here's a peek at some of the eLearning activities from Ms. McTighe's NASA Lab and Ms. Jacob's PLTW classes.
Project Lead the Way and our NASA Lab.
Here's a peek at some of the eLearning activities from Ms. McTighe's NASA Lab and Ms. Jacob's PLTW classes.
nasa lab
Students are engaged in a variety of learning activities while in NASA Lab!
These hands-on activities integrate NASA Resources while supporting classroom science instruction.
Nasa's Space Launch System
The Space Launch System (or SLS) will be the most powerful rocket built once completed by NASA. It will return astronauts to the moon, and eventually allow them to explore even further into our Solar System!
Check out some of the resources below to learn more about the NASA's rocket of the future!
Meet the SLS ROcket!
Forest Lake Elementary students talk with NASA's Mission Control!
SLS Launch
This animation highlights the completion and launch of the Space Launch System. As shown in the animation, the SLS will utilize the Orion Crew Module to send an unmanned mission to the Moon as part of the Artemis Missions in the near future!
Draw the SLS
Click the image to the right to access instructions for how to draw your own SLS rocket! Follow the directions, or customize it as you like!
SLS Engineering Challenge!
Use whatever materials you might have around your house (legos, construction paper, paper towel rolls...) to build your own model of the SLS! Use your imagination (it does not have to look exactly like the SLS!) and try to make it stand as tall as possible on its own!
In October, we will be celebrating the 20 year anniversary of human habitation in space! In October of 2000, the first mission aboard the International Space Station began. This mission kicked off what would be 20 years of astronauts living and working in space aboard the ISS.
You can read more about the exciting milestone here and complete this week's activities to learn more!
Life on the ISS
CHALLENGE- What would you take to space?
Astronauts aboard the ISS get to take a number of personal items with them when they travel to space. These are meant to keep them entertained and to make them feel less homesick. Astronauts have chosen to bring their favorite foods, family photos, musical instruments and even sporting equipment!
The Challenge: What 3 items would you take with you if you got to travel to space? Check out some of the videos and articles below about what other astronauts have taken to help inspire you!
Instruments on the ISS
Click the image above to watch a video of astronaut Cady Coleman. She brought a flute with her to the ISS!
You can also access the video by clicking here.
"Just Like Home"
Click the image above to access an article about some of the things astronauts have chosen to take with them to space!
You can also access the article by clicking here.
What Would you take?
Click the image above to watch a video where Canadian astronauts in training answer the question "What will you take with you to space?"
You can also access the video by clicking here.
Exciting OPPORTUNITY!!
Leland melvin's Star Course
"About Leland
Having been an NFL player and a NASA astronaut, Leland Melvin is uniquely suited to talk to students about dream jobs. Since the road he traveled wasn’t direct or easy, Melvin is now devoted to helping students discover a love for science and the grit to pursue their dreams.
About the Class
In a class that's out of this world, astronaut Leland Melvin will explain why space exploration matters and how it affects our daily lives. Leland will share his experiences as one of the lucky few to travel in space, as well as what it takes to land that dream job."
CLASS DETAILS
May 12 & May 19
Tuesday @ 3:30 - 4:00 PM EDT
2 x 30 min sessions (1 hour)
All ages welcome
(Best for grades 3-8)
FREE
NASA Read Aloud
Check out this Story Time from Space video!
It features astronaut Anne McClain reading the book Astronaut Annie!
Click here to fill out the google form after you listen to the read aloud!
NASA Challenge
Access the PDF below and complete the "Build Your Own Satellite Challenge!" Be sure to ask an adult before using any materials at home!
When you are done, complete the google form by clicking here to show me your work! If you have trouble submitting a picture on the google form, feel free to email it to me!
Activity Instructions
More information on Satellites
build-a-spacecraft (1).pdfOngoing Activities
Cosmic Research
Use the resources below to research an object or location in the Solar System. Create a presentation to share your research. You can create a WeVideo, Google Slides or any type of presentation you choose. Share or email your final product to me!
Online Activities
Below you will find a number of online activities that you can do from home! If you choose to complete one, fill out this google form and let me know!
(For this HoC activity, take a screenshot of your final product and send an email of it to Ms. Keyes and me!)(Click "Create" in the top left corner and work on your own Scratch Project! Remember, once your create a project you can click on "Tutorials" at the top and work on a specific coding skill within Scratch!)
Hubble Artwork
Access the Hubble Telescope image archive at the link below. Choose a picture that grabs your attention and recreate it using what ever art materials (i.e. crayons, paper, sidewalk chalk, etc.) you have at home! Email me your creation and a link to the original photo when you are done. Include Ms. Keyes on the email too! We can't wait to see what you create!
project lead the way
PLTW Launch taps into students’ exploratory nature, engages them in learning that feels like play, and encourages them to keep discovering – now and for years to come. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations, students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and learn to try and try again when faced with challenges. (From the PLTW website)
challenges
AEROSPACE ENGINEER CHALLENGE:
DESIGN A PAPER AIRPLANE
DESIGN A PAPER AIRPLANE
Go to this website Fold 'N Fly and choose 2 airplanes to fold. You may need scissors for some. After building both aircraft, take them outside and see which one flies the farthest. You are free to fold as many as you can. Happy Flying!
CHALLENGE: BUILD A FORT
Watch the read aloud, Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier on YouTube. After watching this fun retelling of the Little Red Hen, draw up some plans and build your very own fort.
DEVELOPER CHALLENGE:
DESIGN A GAME OR SPORT!
DESIGN A GAME OR SPORT!
With these unprecedented times, we are challenged with getting creative with limited resources and social distancing. I'm challenging families to design your own sport or game using household materials. This can be a completely new activity or a modified version of a game or sport that already exists.
ARCHITECT CHALLENGE:
I WANNA NEW ROOM
I WANNA NEW ROOM
Watch this video of this read aloud, I Wanna New Room by Karen Kaufman Orloff. After watching, draw a blueprint of your very own "Dream Room" complete with every feature. Make sure you label everything you would love to include. Have fun expanding your imagination!
