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NASA CONNECT is an annual series of integrated mathematics, science, and technology instructional distance learning programs for students in grades 6-8. This program is designed for students to learn about the evolution of flight. The program has three components--television broadcast, Web activity, and lesson guide--which are designed as an integrated instructional package. Students learn how the Wright Brothers became the first human beings to successfully design, construct, and fly an airplane and which method the Wright Brothers used in designing their airplane. Students also observe NASA engineers and researchers using problem-solving skills to design wings that will change their shape during flight. By conducting hands-on and Web activities, students make connections between NASA research and the mathematics, science, and technology they learn in the classroom. The educator guide features: (1) program overview; (2) hands-on activity; (3) student worksheets; (4) teacher materials; (5) interactive kite modeler; and (6) resources. (KHR)

Space Shuttle Glider is a scale model of the U.S. Space Shuttle orbiter. The airplane-like orbiter usually remains in Earth orbit for up to two weeks at a time. It normally carries a six- to seven-person crew which includes the mission commander, pilot, and several mission and/or payload specialists who have specialized training associated with the payloads and experiments being flown on that mission. This brief provides a hands-on activity for building a model of the Space Shuttle. (ASK)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 4-8 explore the concepts of scaling and proportion in the context of spacecraft design. The units in this series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of a storyline presenting the context for the problems to be solved, lists of the mathematics and science concepts addressed, background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and an activity complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationship to national mathematics standards. The story line for this unit is students examining how patterns, measurement, ratios, and proportions are used in research, development, and production of airplanes. (MM)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 4-8 explore the concepts of scaling and proportion in the context of spacecraft design. The units in this series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of a storyline presenting the context for the problems to be solved, lists of the mathematics and science concepts addressed, background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and an activity complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationship to national mathematics standards. The story line for this unit is students learning why scaling and proportion are important factors in spacecraft design. (MM)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 4-8 explore the concepts of algebra in the context of exploring the universe. The units in this series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of a storyline presenting the context for the problems to be solved, lists of the mathematics and science concepts addressed, background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and an activity complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationship to national mathematics standards. The story line for this unit is students learning how algebra is used to explore the universe. (MM)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 5 to 8 explore the concepts of measurement, ratios, and graphing in the context of designing a dragster. The units in the series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and two activities, one of which is Web-based, complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationships to national mathematics, science, and technology standards. In this activity, students work in groups to construct a dragster and propulsion system using common household supplies. (MM)

This teaching unit is designed to help students in grades 5 to 8 explore the concepts of geometry and algebra in the context of the force of drag. The units in the series have been developed to enhance and enrich mathematics, science, and technology education and to accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Each unit consists of background notes for the teacher, a list of teacher resources, and two activities, one of which is Web-based, complete with blackline masters. Also included are suggestions for extensions to the problems and their relationships to national mathematics, science, and technology standards. In this activity, students learn about the force of drag and how National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) engineers use models and glowing paints to see how air flows over vehicles in a wind tunnel. (MM)

The Space Station is already capturing the imaginations of American students, encouraging them to pursue careers in the sciences. The idea of living and working in space continues to spark this renewed interest. The material in this guide was developed to provide hands-on experiences in science and math in the context of an International Space Station. The lesson plans are written to be used with K-5 students in groups of two to four people in a lab-type activity. The contents of this guide include: (1) an introduction to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Space Station Program; (2) a diagram of the Space Station configuration; (3) Space Station Identification (Lesson 1); (4) Space Station Habitat and Laboratory (Lesson 2); (5) Outfitted for Space Work (Lesson 3); (6) Water Conservation on Space Station (Lesson 4); (7) Space Station Math (Lesson 5); and (8) an answer booklet. (WRM)

This educator's guide explains basic aeronautical concepts and provides a background in the history of aviation within the context of flight environment (atmosphere, airports, and navigation). The activities in this guide are designed to be uncomplicated and fun. They were developed by NASA Aerospace Education Services Program specialists who have successfully used them in countless workshops and student programs around the United States. The activities encourage students to explore the nature of flight and experience some real-life applications of mathematics, science, and technology. The guide begins with education standards and skills matrices for the classroom activities, a description of the NASA aeronautics mission, and a brief history of aeronautics. Activities are written for the educator and divided into three chapters: (1) Air; (2) Flight; and (3) We Can Fly, You and I. Each activity begins with objectives, education standards and skills, and background material for the subject matter. The activity continues with step-by-step instructions and associated graphics to help the educator guide students through the activity in the classroom. Each activity includes student pages, which are as simple as a graphic of the activity and as advanced as a work sheet. They are meant to supplement the educator's presentation, serve as reminders, and inspire students to explore their own creativity. Activities requiring step-by-step assembly include student pages that present the project in a way that can be understood by pre-literate students. Each chapter ends with a section listing suggested interdisciplinary activities. (ASK)

Space walking has captured the imagination of generations of children and adults since science fiction authors first placed their characters on the moon. The guide begins with brief discussions of the space environment, the history of space walking, NASA's current spacesuit, and work that astronauts do during spacewalks. These are followed by a technology education design brief that challenges students to design and build a spacesuit prototype for an extra-terrestrial environment no human has ever visited before. In the process of doing this, students will have to investigate the properties of that environment and determine what protective measures must be taken to permit a future explorer to work there safely. Once accomplished, students choose materials and technologies that can be used for constructing and testing the prototype. The design brief is followed by Teacher Tech Briefs that provide a source of ideas on how to build a spacesuit test apparatus and by Exploration Briefs that provide activity frameworks to help students understand important topics in spacesuit design. The guide concludes with a glossary of terms, a suggested reading list, NASA educational resources including electronic resources, and an evaluation questionnaire. (Contains 12 references.) (ASK)

The International Space Station (ISS) will provide the world with an orbiting laboratory that will have long-duration micro-gravity experimentation capability. The crew size for this facility will depend upon the crew return capability. The first crews will consist of three astronauts from Russia and the United States. The crew is limited to three because the Russian Soyuz vehicle that will remain docked to the ISS can only hold three people. It is imperative that the crew members be able to return to Earth if there is a medical emergency or if other complications arise. In development at this time is a Crew Return Vehicle that will be able to hold up to seven crew members. This brief contains an activity to construct a parafoil similar to the one that will be used for the International Space Station crew return vehicle, the X-38. (ASK)

This booklet was prepared by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for use by teachers in the classroom or by parents at home. The descriptions, classroom activities and illustrations are designed for elementary-level school children. On each right-hand page is a simple line drawing that illustrates the narrative and the activities described on the left-hand page. The drawings can be reproduced and colored by the students. The activities' subject matter include: the space shuttle, communications, weightlessness, solar energy, hatches and airlocks, and living and working in outer space. (PR)

This document provides guidelines for the preparation of careers in aerospace, whether with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or private industry. The document discusses the following topics: (1) Preparing for an Aerospace Career; (2) Careers in Aerospace; (3) Employment Requirements; and (4) How To Apply. (ZWH)

This document contains standards for an articulated secondary and postsecondary curriculum in aerospace technology. The curriculum standards can be used to ensure that vocational programs meet the needs of local business and industry. The first part of the document contains a task list and student performance standards for the aerospace technology curriculum. It is followed by seven modules of curriculum standards, consisting of tasks, performance objective, and enabling objectives for the following curriculum areas: history of flight, principles of flight, aerospace vehicles, aerospace environments, aerospace and international issues, the future of aerospace, and employability skills. A list of nine references to resource guides, curriculum guides, handbooks, model kits, and videotapes is provided. (KC)

The Spacesuit wall chart to which this guidebook is a supplement, portrays Astronaut Bruce McCandless on his historic first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit during Shuttle mission 41-B (February 3-11, 1984), when he ventured 100 meters from the Shuttle's cargo bay and returned safely. The guidebook provides an in-depth explanation of the elements depicted on the wall chart in see-through and cut-away perspectives, and is divided into the following sections: (1) a descriptive list of the 40 separate spacesuit components; (2) a detailed discussion of the necessary preparations and the checklist of procedures required for the donning of a spacesuit with photographs of the process; (3) a technological explanation of the design and operation of the primary life support system with illustrations; (4) a description of the provisions and the utility of the manned maneuvering unit; and (5) a historical narrative about spacesuit research and use over the past 50 years. (JJK)

This curriculum guide contains six units of instruction for an introduction to the technology systems in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Designed to be used either as a stand-alone publication or to be infused into the instruction and activities of an existing technology education program, this publication describes the interrelationship of the various technology systems in NASA. Introductory materials include a tools, materials, and equipment list; a list of 20 references; an instructional/task analysis that correlates related information with job training; and information on resources for teachers. Each instructional unit includes some or all of the following basic components: objective sheet; suggested activities for the teacher; teacher supplements; transparency masters; information sheet; assignment sheets; assignment sheet answers; lab activity sheets; written test; and test answers. Units are designed for use in more than one lesson or class period. Unit topics include introduction to the careers in the aviation and space industry; satellite communication systems; composite materials in airframe manufacturing; space-station construction techniques; space-shuttle propulsion systems; and aerostatics and aerodynamics. (YLB)

This teacher's guide contains information, lesson plans, and diverse student learning activities focusing on space flight. The guide is divided into seven sections: (1) "Drawing Activities" (Future Flight; Space Fun; Mission: Draw); (2) "Geography" (Space Places); (3) "History" (Space and Time); (4) "Information" (Space Transportation System; Educator's History of Space Flight); (5) "Language Arts" (Space Scramble; Shuttle Jumble); (6) "Lesson Plans" (Minds in Motion; Where Were You When...?); and (7) "Math" (Space Math; Message from the Moon). (BT)

Designed for secondary and postsecondary school students, the article discusses the STS-9 (Space Transportation System), a hand-held amateur radio (ham) station used on the Space Shuttle Columbia. The article details the mechanics of this battery-powered unit and how it is used. Separate sections discuss necessary equipment for picking up space shuttle signals, post cards used by "ham operators" to confirm two-way contact or reception of signal (QSL Cards), the definition of a "ham operator," license requirements for radio amateurs, call signs, organizations to contact, and questions and activities for use in the classroom. (LH)

Designed for classroom use, this publication provides an overview of the first Space Shuttle/Spacelab mission, a cooperative venture between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The main purpose of ESA's Spacelab, which will be carried aboard NASA's Space Shuttle (technically called the Space Transportation System or STS), is described as enabling scientists to go into space to conduct experiments which are not possible in Earth's atmosphere and gravity. Topics covered include: (1) the goals of the mission; (2) the types of experiments and investigations which will be performed; (3) the crew; (4) the physical design of the craft; (5) human and data communications between the Johnson Space Center and the Spacelab; and (6) the ability of the Spacelab to be used again. Six questions and activities for classroom instruction are provided. (DC)

This publication provides guidelines for teachers using the Aerospace Education II series publication entitled "Theory of Aircraft Flight." The organization of the guide for each chapter is according to objectives (traditional and behavioral), suggested outline, orientation, suggested key points, suggestions for teaching, instructional aids, projects, and further reading. A separate sheet is attached at the end of each chapter for teacher ideas for improvement of the chapter. Specific suggestions have been made throughout the guide for the major concepts. Page references corresponding to the textbook are made where appropriate. (PS)

This curriculum guide is prepared for the Aerospace Education III series publication entitled "Human Requirements of Flight." It provides specific guidelines for teachers using the textbook. The guidelines for each chapter are organized according to objectives (traditional and behavioral), suggested outline, orientation, suggested key points, suggestions for teaching, instructional aids, projects, and further reading. Brief explanations regarding major concepts are included. Page references corresponding to the textbook are given where appropriate. (PS)