Alabama Social Studies SS24.5.14b
The Standard
- SS24.5.14
- Describe how the United States’ involvement in the Cold War influenced domestic and international events.
Describe how technological innovations boosted space exploration during the Space Race, including the role of Redstone Arsenal and the Marshall Space Flight Center.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain how stronger rockets and better guidance helped the United States compete with the Soviet Union in space. They connect Army rocket work at Redstone Arsenal to Explorer 1 and Marshall Space Flight Center's Saturn V work to Moon missions.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that rockets provide thrust and guidance systems keep them on course. They can identify which Huntsville site helped with Explorer 1 and which developed the Saturn V for Moon missions.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center were the same facility. They may also think the Saturn V launched Explorer 1 or that satellites carry astronauts.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Explain how a rocket improvement helped space exploration. Then name Redstone Arsenal's connection to Explorer 1 and Marshall's connection to the Moon missions.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Run a balloon rocket along a string, then have students sketch why a space rocket also needs guidance.
Ask students to write two sentences explaining why launching Explorer 1 came before sending astronauts to the Moon.
Give pairs cards for Redstone Arsenal, Army rocket work, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Saturn V; have them match each site to its work.
Show today's weather satellite image and ask what a rocket had to do before the satellite could send it.
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Printable SS24.5.14b Worksheet
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Related Standards
- SS24.WH.15a
Explain the development of new technologies and their significance in the nuclear arms race and space race.
- SS24.US2.11a
Evaluate the effects of the arms and space races on the growth of the military-industrial complex.
- SS24.5.1a
Summarize how important entrepreneurs and inventors shaped American society, and identify Alabamians who contributed to these innovations.
- SS24.US1.12d
Summarize the effects of technological and scientific advancements of the mid-1800s on the strategy, battlefield tactics, and consequences of the Civil War.
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