Enhancement Activities

1. Listen to/watch video

a. What is the major difference between the solid rocket boosters and the space shuttle main engines?

b. What is the purpose of the joint heater system?

2. Learn More Section – click on Shuttle Reference Manual

a. Click on SRB ignition – What 3 conditions must exist prior to SRB ignition?

b. Click on Descent and Recovery – Why do the SRB’s remain buoyant after they impact the water?

c. Click on spaceKids website; click on Play the Game – complete the Shuttle animation of SRB separation

National Science Education Standards:
B.2.3 – Unbalanced forces will cause changes in the speed or direction of an object’s motion,
B.3.1 – Energy is a property of many substances and is associated with heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound, nuclei, and the nature of a chemical. Energy is transferred in many ways
B.3.4 – Electrical circuits provide a means of transferring electrical energy when heat, light, sound, and chemical changes are produced,
B.3.5 – In most chemical and nuclear reactions, energy is transferred into or out of a system
G.1.1 - Women and men of various social and ethnic backgrounds engage in the activities of science, engineering, and related fields
G.1.2 – Science requires different abilities, depending on such factors as the field of study and type of inquiry

National Education Technology Standards:
A.1.1 – Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operations of technology systems,
A.1.2 – Students are proficient in the use of technology,
A.5.1 - Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources