New for 2006: e-Mission Moon, Mars and Beyond

The year is 2080 and exploratory outposts have been formed at each of the five outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Colonies of hardy pioneers are living at settlements in an effort to study the resources available on each of the planets.

The mission begins with the launch of a supply spaceship traveling on a routine voyage from the Moon to a Martian base. Students are in Mars Mission Control and are in constant communication with the flight director at Earth Mission Control.

Then, something happens! Earth Mission Control receives an urgent message from the spacecraft traveling to Mars. One of the spaceships further out in the solar system must be experiencing problems with their communications equipment. They have not been heard from in five days. They appear to be lost and may need to be rescued.

Moon, Mars and Beyond!
The simulation, called Moon, Mars and Beyond, takes students in grades 3 - 4 on a virtual mission to the outer reaches of the solar system. The simulation will be delivered into classrooms across the country.

In this program students play the role of astronauts aboard a ship bound from the Moon to a base on Mars in the year 2080. Their routine mission takes on a new twist soon after launch when Mission Control asks them to locate a ship lost for five days in the farthest reaches of the solar system. Students must work together to determine where the ship is, how long it would take to get there and the supplies necessary for the rescue voyage.

To complete this 75 minute mission, students don't even need to leave their school!

The Curriculum
Moon, Mars and Beyond is an interactive method for 3rd and 4th grade teachers to effectively utilize technology in the classroom. While computers exist in many classrooms across the country, content material designed to enrich the mathematics and science curricula is lacking.

The program meets state and national education standards in the areas of mathematics and science for students in third through fifth grades. Moon, Mars and Beyond builds student's enthusiasm for science and math, improves students problem solving and critical thinking skills and teaches students the importance of teamwork and communication.

For teachers, the mission is a new way to introduce Earth Science into classroom instruction. Prior to the mission, teachers participate in an online training to acquaint them with the mission. The training provides them with a pre-flight curriculum designed for incorporation into daily lesson plans three weeks prior to the mission. The mission package also includes technology support to help teachers prepare their classroom for the mission day.

Fees
e-Mission Moon, Mars and Beyond offered for 3rd-5th grade students, $250.00 per mission.