Curated OER
The Space Race in the '50's
Students explore the impact of the space race. In this 1950's America lesson, students examine newspapers from the time period as well as Apollo mission episodes. Students then create journals from the perspectives of Apollo astronauts.
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
JFK Challenge
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. And so begins your invigorating, innovative learning experience in the JFK Challenge app! Learners...
Curated OER
Cold War - The Space Race
In these Cold War worksheets, learners read about the space race between the United States and Russia. Students also read about the first man on the moon and answer 8 questions about the texts.
American Institute of Physics
Meet Four Pioneering African American Astronauts
An out-of-this-world resource introduces young scientists to four African American astronauts: Michael P. Anderson, Ronald E. McNair, Guion S. Bluford Jr., and Jeanette J. Epps. Groups read biographies of these individuals and prepare...
Curated OER
Celebrating 100 Years of Flight for Grades 3-5
Students study the history of flight of the past one hundred years, focusing on the invention of the airplane, the introduction of women pilots and the space race. They conduct research and then write and publish a "100 Years of Flight"...
DocsTeach
Landing a Man on the Moon: President Nixon and the Apollo Program
Take the small step for man and giant leap for mankind with the Apollo astronauts using primary sources. Young historians explore the documents related to the American space program up through the lunar landing, including presidential...
Curated OER
Reach for the Stars
Students consider the significance of space exploration. For this space science lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about astronomy, lunar missions, and space travel. Students...
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.
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
John Glenn: Astronaut/senator
A concise biography which describes the highlights of the life of John Glenn. Two photos are included in this site.