MOON eQUEST ⋆ Phoenix Space

MOON eQUEST

An online space science program presented in a mission-based approach.

A MISSION TO THE MOON

Phoenix Space Moon eQuest is a self-paced remote-learning experience in which students learn about space and rocket science through a combination of taught lessons and experiments presented in a mission-based approach. The lessons are woven together in a narrative where students will pick up knowledge of space, and the moon in particular, in an organic and motivated way.

Students learn through individual projects based on realistic, yet entertaining, problems faced in the operations of a space mission to the moon. Along the way they will pick up knowledge of mathematics, physics, electronics, programming, and astronomy – not to mention a thirst for more knowledge.

Moon eQuest is a self-paced, five week long course, featuring videos and weekly live Q&A calls, with some additional work outside of class sessions. It is designed for students aged 11-13. Students receive a taste of the great variety of science and mathematics involved in space travel. Phoenix Space Moon eQuest educates and tests students in a series of realistic scenarios relating to space exploration, set in the context of a mission to our nearest neighbor.

COURSE DETAILS

Each lesson has the following structure:

SCIENTIFIC CONTEXT

The topic introduction is given with a clearly defined problem and its relevance.

TEACHING

The mathematical and/or scientific knowledge is taught.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Each student will use their new knowledge to investigate and solve the presented problem.

EXTENSION

Additional tasks are given for students who wish to do more.

The course consists of the following lessons:

GETTING THERE

An Overview of Rocket Science

Students learn about rockets through a series of DIY demos launching rockets using compressed air, small chemical reactions and maybe even solid rocket fuel matchstick rockets.

Students learn about forces, acceleration, gravity and what is required to leave our own planet and reach the moon. Along the way they pick up knowledge of the history of rockets and space travel, the nature of near space and the moon.

MESSAGE RECEIVED

Communication in Space

Students learn about the communication time-delay between earth and the moon and how to use the formula for speed/distance/time to calculate one of the missing variables. They can use this to work out the time delay between a network of satellites.

After this, students learn to convert letters to numbers, and decimal to binary representation to allow them to send messages back to earth using flashes of light.

WHAT, NO AIR?

The Impact of Atmosphere

The students have arrived on the moon. One of the first things students should know about the moon is that it has no atmosphere. Why does this matter and how do objects behave differently on the moon?

Students learn to calculate the volume of air required for astronauts to take with them, why parachutes work on earth and won’t work on the moon and what that means for landing and moving on the moon.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Designing a Moonbase

The Phoenix Moonbase needs to be made and it’s up to our students to design it using calculations about area, distance and efficiency. Students will get an introduction to the challenges posed to designers and engineers when creating any large project.

HEAVY NEWS

Gravity and Its Effect on Space Missions

Students learn the formula for gravitational field strength and will see why the moon has much less gravity than earth. They also use this fact to calculate the maximum height that an object can reach when launched upwards.

Students apply this knowledge to make judgements about other bodies in the solar system, and discuss the future of their moon base as a stepping stone.

The Phoenix Space Moon eQuest program is presented to our students who complete the Phoenix Space Program course.

It is also sold as a package offering to schools and corporations, for the benefit of their students and employees’ children. Sponsors purchase a package, and Phoenix Space works with them to organize and present the courses

MOON eQUEST PACKAGE OVERVIEW


Course length	5 weeks
Instruction method	Self paced learning with videos + live web conference-based instruction
Student ages	11-13 years old
Requirements to sign up	Love space, basic understanding of algebra and geometry, basic understanding of programming (Scratch, Lego MindStorms, or similar) preferred but not essential
Homework	Yes

THE MOON eQUEST PACKAGE INCLUDES

10 hours of interactive teaching instruction in a self-paced mode

10+ hours of interactive homework

Printable course guides