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Learn about famous explorers
February 3, 2003
Web posted at: 9:46 PM EST (0246 GMT)
Overview: The arduous process of searching for clues is in full force for NASA. The organization is working with an independent group to discover what caused space shuttle Columbia to break up over Texas on Saturday. Investigators are paying close attention to what happened during the shuttle's takeoff on January 16.
After students read "Shuttle investigators look for answers" and watch the first segment of CNN Student News (the video can be accessed from CNNStudentNews.com) pose the following questions:
1. What happened to the space shuttle Columbia when it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere on Saturday? How many astronauts were aboard the space shuttle? What incident occurred on the left side of the Columbia shortly after takeoff? Why are investigators focusing on this incident? Why is there a massive effort under way to recover debris from the Columbia? How did Wall Street honor the Columbia's astronauts?
2. For hundreds of years people have been exploring uncharted territory on Earth, and more recently in space. Refer students to the links below and other resources to learn about the men and women who have explored the Earth and space. Have students select different explorers and learn about their discoveries, the risks they assumed and the sacrifices they made while completing their journeys. Instruct each student to write an essay from the perspective of the explorer that addresses whether the explorer's discoveries were worth the risks and sacrifices he/she assumed. After students share their essays, ask: Do you think the conquest of space is worth the risk of life?
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