Curated OER
Satellites
Eighth graders explore the history of space travel and satellites. Through a teacher demonstration, 8th graders observe how a satellite revolves another object. They identify natural and artificial satellites, explore how satellites...
Curated OER
The Vocabulary of Space
Learners build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space. For this space lesson, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Teaching Math & Science in Age of Sputnik
Why did the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik throw the fields of mathematics and science into tremendous demand in the United States? Find the many ways this revolutionary event impacted children from the 1950s to become the...
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: Sputnik Pictures
NASA provides pictures of various Sputnik program satellites, including Sputnik 1. Also has pictures of key officials involved in the Sputnik program.
Digital History
Digital History: The Space Race
In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite. The 184-pound, 22.5-inch sphere orbited the earth once every 96 minutes. Sputnik transmitted radio signals for 21 days and later burned up in...
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Space Travel (Level 1)
Learn about the history of space travel. Audio content is included as well as vocabulary words linked to a glossary of terms.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Milestones of Flight
This Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum site tells the history of fight with an easy to use timeline. Also, find out about specific flights in the list of links.
Orpheus Books
Q Files: Technology: Space Transport
The story of space exploration is told from the first successful rocket built in 1926 to space probes and the International Space Station.
BBC
Bbc News: Son of a Peasant
The British Broadcasting Company (April 1, 1998)chronicles Yuri Gagarin's life and accomplishments.
NASA
Nasa: Wernher Von Braun
NASA profiles Wernher von Braun, "one of the most important rocket developers and champions of space exploration during the period between the 1930s and 1970s."