Curated OER
The Planets Moon
Students explore the theories of the creation of the universe and examine the properties of celestial bodies. They analyze the relationship between the sun, Earth and other planets. They discover the infinite potential of the science of...
Curated OER
Hold on Tight!
Students explain how manufactured products depend on its function for a purpose. In this sticky tape lesson plan students test the strength of different tapes, take measurements and record data.
Curated OER
Using Nouns and Irregular Verbs
In this sentence building worksheet, students practice using nouns and irregular verbs. Students complete eight sentences with the correct noun or verb from the word pool.
Other
The Space Race
Although the space race was originally a competition between two Cold War foes,it ultimately resulted in many benefits for the people of the Earth. Find information on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, and Soviet space programs,...
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age
This site from NASA describes the impact that Sputnik had in triggering the space race.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Race to the Moon
In 1955, the US and the USSR each announced plans to launch a satellite into orbit. Thus began the race to the moon. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the American space program and its new classes of astronauts achieved breakthroughs in...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Johnson's Task, Unify Space Program
Russia was ahead in the "space race" in 1961. In this article, the Library of Congress discusses how President Kennedy assigned Lyndon Johnson the task of uniting the different parts of the U.S. space program into NASA.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Apollo to the Moon
This resource offers an in-depth exploration of the U.S. space program and the role President John F. Kennedy took in setting the agenda for manned space flight to the moon.
Other
Iki: Russian Space Research Institute
The official site for the "leading organization of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the field of investigations of Outer Space, Solar System planets and other objects of the Universe"
NASA
Nasa, Human Space Flight: Apollo 11 Mission
The story of the Apollo 11 lunar landing is told with dramatic details, pictures, and mission highlights.
Read Works
Read Works: The Astronaut Wives Club
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the inspiration behind the book The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Space Program
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik and had an astronaut orbit the moon a few years later. The U.S. was shocked and vowed to not be left behind. Examine how JFK rallied the country and Congress to get behind the race...
Other
Yuri Gagarin: Comrade Kosmonaut
Highly detailed biography of the first man in space. Includes the pamphlet published to celebrate his return to Russia.
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik and the Origins of the Space Age
NASA provides a paper providing a background to the Sputnik launch and the U.S. response.
NASA
Nasa: Salyut 4
Overview of the Salyut 4 space station mission and instrumentation. Has a great picture of the computer rendering of the space station.
Other
Historic Wings: John Glenn Friendship 7
The story of America's first astronaut to orbit the earth during the Mercury Space program. After launching the program click on continue or on the numbers to learn about the story of the Mercury program and the first American to orbit...
Other
Soviet Space Photos: Photos of Voskhod 3
Actual photos of the Voskhod 3, viewable as larger versions upon clicking the thumbnail.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Picture of Gagarin in Space Suit
A large picture with very brief description of Yuri Gagarin in his orange cosmonaut suit. Link to a printable version included.
NASA
Nasa: Sputniks 1, 2, and 3
NASA provides a paper that "deals with the politics, planning and technology of the period 1946-1958" in the Sputnik program.
NASA
Nasa: The International Geophysical Year
This site from NASA outlines the Sputnik program and the political underworkings that allowed it to reach fruition.
NASA
Nasa: "Pravda" Press Release
NASA provides the full text from the tersely worded "Pravda," the Russian national newspaper, that announced the successful launch of Sputnik.