Missions/Modules
The Dream Tour Missions
The Dream Tour's instructional component consists of three missions - Aeronautics, Mechanics and Geosciences. Each mission will be composed of a series of modules designed to expose middle school youth to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts, processes and content. The missions and the modules in each mission are linked, therefore, they may be taught in any order.
The modules do not form a middle school curriculum. They provide activities, suggestions and projects related to six STEM concepts that are taught in grades 6 - 8. The modules can be described as instructional resources that science teachers of these grades can use to design lessons with rigorous, engaging content that results in greater student commitment to learning and achievement. They can be incorporated into any curriculum or teaching plan.
The three missions and modules that are currently available are described below:
The Aeronautics Mission
Aeronautics is the study of the science of flight. To design an airplane or other flying machines, aeronautical engineers must understand four basic areas – aerodynamics, propulsion, materials and structures and stability and control. The Aeronautics Mission currently contains three modules:
The Mechanics Mission
Mechanics is the study of the way matter and forces interact with each other in the macroscopic world (bodies that you can easily see in the solid state). Fields within mechanics are statics, dynamics and kinematics. The Mechanics Mission currently contains three modules:
The Geosciences Mission
The geosciences address all issues relating to Earth Systems, including the solid Earth, oceans and atmosphere. The major applications of the geosciences are exploration and development of natural resources (oil, gas, coal, minerals, construction aggegate, water and soil), preservation of the natural environment, restoration from environmental damage, mitigation of geohazards such as earthquakes and landslides, and exploratory research like the Mars space mission and understanding El Nino. The Geosciences Mission currently contains three modules:
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