History of U.S. Space Exploration Timeline Activity | Cold War – Artemis 2

Description

Do your students want to learn more about out the history of U.S. space exploration? Use this timeline activity to help your students gain a greater understanding how U.S. space exploration has evolved and changed throughout the decades. This History of U.S. space exploration begins with the Soviets launching Sputnik into space and goes through the 2026 Artemis 2 mission for a total of 30 events.

 

❗I struggled for a long time trying to figure out how to make events and dates more engaging for students while also giving students a lot of information in a short period of time (let’s face it – there is just not enough time ⌚ to cover everything!) And, then I created something that worked – a timeline hunt❗

 

✍️In this U.S. space exploration timeline hunt activity, the teacher scatters and hides the 51 event cards around the room. Students search for the event cards and either scan a QR code to find out the dates of the events or they just flip the card over to reveal the date. Students record the date on a printed handout or type into a digital handout.

 

✏️Then, students organize the dates by placing the events in the correct chronological order on a timeline.

 

⭐It’s a win-win! ⭐ Students are engaged throughout the activity and they learn a lot about the history of U.S. space exploration.

 

❇️I also tried to make this activity as flexible as I could. You can use the QR code version or the no QR Code version. You can print the event cards in color or in greyscale (I recommend laminating them so they will last year after year!). There’s also a print/paper saving option that includes 4 events on a page. Plus, there are paperless digital student handouts (fillable PDF & Google Slides) options. And, I’ve included editable templates so you can add events specific to your state standards.

⏰Note: The QR codes were designed for students to use a QR code reader app to reveal the event’s date. If students do not have a QR code reader app, they may use the camera on their device. However, the camera reads the QR code differently. It assumes they want an Internet search for the date (there is no way to control what sites the device pulls into the search). So, if students want to use their camera, they will need to first put their device in airplane mode or turn off the WiFi connection.⏰

 

What’s Included:
➡️Teacher Directions (3 pages)
➡️QR Code Version (30 pages, in color and b&w)
➡️Version without QR Codes (60 pages, in color and b&w)
➡️Version with both QR and no QR Codes (60 pages, in color and b&w)
➡️Student Handout (2 pages, key included)
➡️Student Timeline (2 pages, in color and b&w, key included)
➡️Editable Student Handout (2 pages, in PowerPoint)
➡️Editable Template (1 page, in PowerPoint)

 

✨ This resource is included in the following larger bundles ✨
Space Race Activity Bundle
U.S. History 1877 to Present Bundle
U.S. History Mega Bundle: Exploration to Present

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