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Preparation Activity

Worksheet 1

Worksheet 2

Worksheet 3

Worksheet 4

Worksheet 5

Worksheet 6

Worksheet 7

Worksheet 8

Worksheet 9

Worksheet 10

Preparation

1. Welcome to Alpha Prime!
This lesson serves as an introduction to the course in general, and defines the parameters of the curriculum herein. Information on the destination (the fictional world Alpha Prime) and the source (Earth) is provided.

2. A Sense of Scale
In this lesson students are introduced to the sheer scale of the universe, compared with the distance humans have traveled insofar. The unit light-year is introduced.

3. Traveling to the Stars
Here, problems associated with traversing the great distance between here and Alpha Centauri. A brief overview of possible propulsion techniques.

4. Space Probes
This lesson addresses how we could study Alpha Prime from home, and gives an overview of advantages and disadvantages associated with using unmanned probes. Introduces the Alpha Explorer probe to the universe of the curriculum.

5. The Worlds Of Alpha Centauri
This lesson introduces other worlds orbiting Alpha Centauri to the students. Also it gives a brief explanation into how Astronomers can currently detect planets orbiting other stars.

6. Why Travel to Another World?
This lesson addresses reasons for sending people to other planets. Reasons given are entirely practical.

7. Who Goes On The Mission?
This lesson walks students through the process of choosing a crew for the Alpha One mission. Issues of crew composition are addressed as well as crew size and specialty.

8. What Supplies Do You Bring?
This lesson calls mission supplies to attention. Here issues of food, clothing, and equipment will be addressed.

9. Storage in Space
This lesson includes space management issues including storage and living areas aboard ship, and introduces students to the confined atmosphere aboard Alpha One.

10. Fixing Problems in Flight
Here we address the problem of in-flight problems and breakages. Students are introduced to the problem of spare part storage, and learn about several possible solutions to problems that may arise.