A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : "Apollo to the Moon" Interactive Site Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: "Apollo to the Moon" Human Space Flight NASA: NASA History - Human Space Flight The Smithsonian website initates students into the "race to the Moon" that preoccupied American scientists and politicians for the decade of the 1960s. Closely connected to Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union, the space race generated many technological advances. This site enables students to explore the ramifications of this and other aspects of the space race. The NASA project website offers a portal for an in-depth examination of several important ventures, like the International Space Station, that came about as a result of the decades-long research and development aimed at putting humans in space. (Secondary source material with links to archival photographs and other digital artifacts). Before exploring the Race to the Moon website, the teacher can ask students to discuss/write down what they already know about the moon landing in 1969. Possible topics to include could be: a) Why was the race to the moon so important in the 1960s? b) How important do you think space exploration is? c) What do you think Americans should focus their scientific research on? (Students could generate a list of important scientific endeavors in recent history.) Students can use the Race to the Moon site to research the space race and to write an editorial newspaper article on the moon landing in 1969. The teacher should remind students that an editorial is not simply a recounting of the historical events, but also a reflection on the technological advance's place in history (in this case, the students should pay particular attention to the space race in the context of the Cold War). Students can use the "Human Space Flight" site to create a timeline of the launch and station programs in space following the moon landing in 1969. After the timelines are complete, the teacher can pose the question: How important do you think space research is today?

(c) explaining the media influence on contemporary American culture and how scientific and technological advances affect the workplace, health care, and education.

"Apollo to the Moon" Interactive Site
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: "Apollo to the Moon"

Human Space Flight
NASA: NASA History - Human Space Flight

Description: The Smithsonian website initates students into the "race to the Moon" that preoccupied American scientists and politicians for the decade of the 1960s. Closely connected to Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union, the space race generated many technological advances. This site enables students to explore the ramifications of this and other aspects of the space race. The NASA project website offers a portal for an in-depth examination of several important ventures, like the International Space Station, that came about as a result of the decades-long research and development aimed at putting humans in space. (Secondary source material with links to archival photographs and other digital artifacts).

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

Before exploring the Race to the Moon website, the teacher can ask students to discuss/write down what they already know about the moon landing in 1969. Possible topics to include could be: a) Why was the race to the moon so important in the 1960s? b) How important do you think space exploration is? c) What do you think Americans should focus their scientific research on? (Students could generate a list of important scientific endeavors in recent history.)

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Students can use the Race to the Moon site to research the space race and to write an editorial newspaper article on the moon landing in 1969. The teacher should remind students that an editorial is not simply a recounting of the historical events, but also a reflection on the technological advance's place in history (in this case, the students should pay particular attention to the space race in the context of the Cold War). Students can use the "Human Space Flight" site to create a timeline of the launch and station programs in space following the moon landing in 1969. After the timelines are complete, the teacher can pose the question: How important do you think space research is today?