Challenger Space Simulation

The Challenger Space Simulation, located at the Discovery Museum in Citrus Heights, CA, is a 2 and 1/2 hour "voyage" to space for fifth graders. During their time at the museum the students participate in Mission Control, where they utilize technology to help their "team" in the space capsule, who are experiencing the hands-on work that astronauts do on space missions. All students participate in both Mission Control and Space Capsule activities.Students use math (measurement, geometry, graphing, problem-solving), science investigation and observation, and communication skills throughout the entire experience. Additionally, teamwork is a huge aspect of the simulation. The class is broken into 8 teams, each with a specific task (for example, navigation plots the orbital path of Halley's Comet). The students quickly realize that the only way that the mission will be successful is through the class working as a team, as well as the smaller teams communicating and working hard to accomplish the many tasks they are assigned. Prior to the space mission, the students are prepared by doing activities that focus on astronomy, math, and communication skills. Preceding the mission, the students will additionally record their experience through writing projects. Technology will be used additionally as a tool for the students to communicate information about the space simulation by doing podcasts.The following is the mission statement for the program.Our vision is to create a scientifically literate population that can thrive in a world increasingly driven by information and technology. Our vision for the future is a global community where students command their own destinies by developing skills in decision making, teamwork, problem solving, and communication. This vision is based on a realistic assessment of the skills needed for success in the 21st century.