LESSON: KSC Facilities

Title: KSC Facilities						Submitted: June15, 2008
Author: Sandy Mills-Alford					School/Org: AliveTek, Inc.

Lesson Overview:
The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is home to the Space Shuttle. This lesson is designed as a new employee training experience to begin the teaming process for the Shuttle launch crew and KLASS Simulation. Since the launch happens at KSC, this lesson is designed to get the students into the role by introducing them to their new workplace: Kennedy Space Center, Shuttle Operations.  

There are varying levels of materials in this lesson folder. A light overview could be achieved with the presentation alone, or in-depth research and reading assignments could be initiated, depending on the amount of time you can spend and the depth of information you wish to cover.

Suggested Classroom Time: 120-180 minutes			Grade Levels: 6-10

KLASS Module: 2-Orientation					Topic/Console:
What is Freon?

Freon is a chemical that is very good at absorbing heat. Because of this property, Freon has been used for many years in air conditioning units. The downside of Freon is that it is harmful to the environment. Because of this, many air conditioning companies have turned to alternative chemicals to use. However, it is still a very important part of the space shuttle.

avionics: computers and other electronic systems used to operate and maintain the orbiter and astronauts during flight

 KSC Facilities

Materials Needed: 
Activity	Documents	Other Materials	
1	Background information: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/tour.html
RDG_KSC-Facilities-Additional (Folder of documents)	Demonstration computer with Internet connection	
2	PRES_KSC-Facilities.ppt
PRES_KSC-Facilities.doc (Optional, text only)
MMAS_NASA-Centers.htm (linked from PPT)	Demonstration or student computers with Internet connection and Microsoft PowerPoint	
3	AS_KSC-Facilities.doc
KEY_KSC-Facilities.doc
MMAS_KSC-Facilities.htm	Demonstration computer for reviewing the multimedia assessment or writing tools for handout	

National Standards/Objectives:
Discipline	Standard	Objective	
Science 	E. Science and Technology	Students discover the abilities of technological design.	
Science	G. History and Nature of Science	Students explore science as a human endeavor.	
Technology	Social, ethical, and human issues	Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.	
Math	Measurement	Students apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine measurements.	
Desired Results:
Students will be able to answer these essential questions
•	From where does the Shuttle launch, and what do those facilities look like?
•	As a new employee, what should I know about Shuttle operations at KSC?

Students will know
•	The basic layout of KSC and the primary Shuttle areas that are integral to launch operations.

Students will be able to
•	Discuss Kennedy Space Center launch operations from the perspective of a Shuttle launch team new employee.

Learning Plan/Activities:
1.	Introducing the Lesson. 
Script: “Welcome to Kennedy Space Center, your new work site as a member of the Shuttle launch team. This orientation training is designed to familiarize new employees with the environment in which they’ll be working.”

2.	Presenting and Exploring Information.
Open the Kennedy Space Center Facilities New Employee Orientation Training KLASS presentation (PRES_KSC-Facilities.ppt) and get the students excited with this pictorial tour of KSC. There are notes for each slide. To print these notes for your reference during the presentation, go to File Print Notes.  

3.	Evaluating the Lesson.
Assessment can be as easy as a simple quiz on the terminology presented in the presentation, or it could continue by assigning any or all of the NASA Facts documents and having students report on the specific topics about KSC. 

Assessment Evidence:
Performance Tasks
1.	Collect and evaluate the student work on the KSC Facilities assessment (AS_KSC-Facilities.doc).
2.	Give feedback regarding how they worked during the class session, and discuss strategies used for finding the answers.

Other Evidence
1.	Perform normal classroom observation and assessment of progress and participation.

Extensions and Going Further Resources:
•	Have the students create an interactive map of KSC by writing summaries and posting photos of each facility that is important to the Shuttle. Invite other teachers and administrators in for a student-guided tour of KSC. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html

•	Be sure to check for student opportunities, additional educational resources and more at:
http://www.nasa.gov/education