Return to the Moon
The year is 2040 and the astronauts are on their way to the Moon. This time, they plan to stay. Navigating their way into lunar orbit, students launch a probe and analyze a variety of data to select a site for establishing a permanent moon base. The crew will begin a new era in human exploration during their mission, Return to the Moon.
Group Size: 16 - 34
Age Group: 5th and above
Program Costs:
$700 per mission with teacher training
$600 per mission with same trained teacher
Fall Specials:
$550 per mission with teacher training
$450 per mission with same trained teacher
**Fall rates apply to missions scheduled and completed prior to December 20th.*
Call 419-698-1501 or email Challengerlc@esclakeeriewest.org to schedule your mission today! Don't wait, our schedule fills up quickly. Some schools book up to a year in advance!
Click here to download the Mission Schedule Form. Fax to 419-698-1457 once you have reserved your date.
Job Descriptions:
Communication Team: The Communication team (COM) is responsible for all verbal messages between the Spacecraft and Mission Control.
Data Team: The Data team (DATA) is responsible for all written communication between the Spacecraft and Mission Control.
Navigation Team: The Navigation team (NAV) is responsible for finding navigating the spacecraft. They must make sure all Earth-based tracking stations are online so that the spacecraft can leave Earth’s orbit. They must also work with the Probe and Remote team to choose and locate a lunar landing site.
The Mission Control team will conduct landing simulations to determine the best option for landing on the moon.
Probe Team: The Probe team (PROBE) is responsible for downloading data from an Earth-orbiting probe and then retrieving the probe. They will then be responsible for assessing if there was any damage to the motherboard. After completing that, they will also correctly have to assemble a probe to be launched to the lunar surface prior to landing.
The Mission Control team is responsible for analyzing the downloaded data and identifying a replacement part for any faulty probe parts. They will also give instructions on how to assemble the probe over the headsets.
Life Support Team:
The Life Support team (LS) will monitor the temperature, air pressure, humidity levels, LiOH filters, oxygen system, solar panels, and water sources..
The Mission Control team records and analyzes this data to determine if the results are within acceptable levels.
Medical Team: The Medical team (MED) is responsible for monitoring the health of the crew. They will monitor the following: visual reaction time, auditory reaction time, heart rate, skin temperature, and respiration.
The Mission Control team records and analyzes this data to determine if the results are within acceptable levels for that crew member.
Remote Team:
The Remote team (REM) is responsible for conducting tests on the samples of lunar rock and regolith collected from the Probe.
The Mission Control team records and analyzes the data to learn more about the geological composition of the Moon.
Isolation Team:
The Isolation team (ISO) works at three stations aboard the Spacecraft and uses robots to manipulate hazardous materials in isolated chambers.
ISO 1 will determine the volume and mass of various chemicals.
The Mission Control team compares the current mass of each chemical to yesterday’s mass to determine if the chemical is leaking.
ISO 2 will monitor the solar array. They will check these frequently.
The Mission Control team records, researches, and analyzes this data provided by the spacecraft astronauts to determine if a shield must be placed over the solar array to protect it from impending meteoroid shower.
ISO 3 will check for normal levels of radiation from each radiation detector using a Geiger counter.
The Mission Control team records, averages, and analyzes this data to determine if the radiation levels are within acceptable levels.
Press Team: This team is optional. Please click to access the Press Team description.
Program Documents (click to download)
Transportation Team Mission Observation Form Crew Manifest
Media and Liability Release Mission Patch Mission Certificate
Pre-Mission Lessons (click to download)
1) Comet Thermal Insulator Team Building - Teacher Guide
2) Experiment with Acids and Bases - Teacher Guide
3) Experiment with Acids and Bases - Student Worksheet
4) Vital Signs
6) X and Y Coordinates - Teacher Guide
7) X and Y Coordinates - Background page
8) Communication - Build an Airplane (with Task Cards) - Teacher Guide
9) Communication - Airplane side 1
10) Communication - Airplane side 2
11) Communication Extension - Test Flight Data
12) Crew Assignments - Teacher Guide
13) Job Application - Teacher Guide
Post-Mission Lessons (click to download)
1) Post Mission Reflection - Teacher's Guide
All of our missions are aligned to the Ohio Content Standards as well as the Common Core and Revised Standards.
Math Language Arts Science Social Studies
Teacher Training
Teachers who schedule Challenger Learning Center missions for their classes will attend a full day mission preparation workshop the first year of their involvement in a particular scenario. During the workshop, they will participate in mission activities, learn about the logistics of their students' mission day, and receive a curriculum package.
During training, educators will receive a Mission Preparation Manual, which includes information on the following:
1. Challenger Center's Pedagogy the New State Standards
2. Mission Prep Tips
3. Team Assembly
4. Team Descriptions
5. Crew Manifests
6. Job Applications for these positions
Supplemental Resources:
1. Content Background
2. Name Tags with Team Assignment Templates
3. Mission Certificate Template
4. Mission Day Logistics
Top Gun Training - Optional
Top Gun Training is a 2-hour after school training for teachers who have completed Teacher Training Levels I and II in the same scenario. The major objective of the training is to prepare the teacher as an Assistant Flight Director in Mission Control during the student mission. At the completion of the training, the teacher will:
> be able to assist the Flight Director in Mission Control during the mission
> feel comfortable and competent in assisting the students through the mission by having a
general understanding of the station manuals and computers
> be able to guide the students to find solutions to problems on their own
> be fitted for a loaned flight suit that he/she will wear the day of the mission
> be able to share input during the mission briefing and de-briefing
> in some cases be able to lead the mid-briefing during the crew exchange
> have a general understanding the imbedded emergencies and their solutions
