Tag Archives: Apollo 11

People exploring space

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Our Stage 3 students are investigating the physical attributes of space and, in library lessons, the technological aspects that supported – and continues to support – the exploration of the solar system. We are commencing with the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing and then looking both back and forth on the timeline.


(HD footage) Restored Apollo 11 moon landing video – via PRC media


In his own words: Buzz Aldrin 40 years later


Aryabhata | Father of Indian Astronomy | Pride Of India


Copernicus – mini biography

Remembering Apollo

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Over the weekend, was the 44th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. Penrith Public School’s then-fledgling magazine was named after NASA’s Apollo program.

Apollo vol I no 1 1968

“The ‘Apollo’ magazine blast off is taking place. Like its big brother at Cape Kennedy this vehicle is one of adventure and discovery… This is our magazine’s beginning. Who knows to what heights our ‘Apollo’ may climb?” – A.K. Allan, Principal (1968).

Apollo vol II 1969

“We cannot thank the Department enough (that poor old lady so often criticised for her many shortcomings) for its assistance in transforming a once useless area into a lovely place [a new assembly hall] where the WHOLE SCHOOL can experience together matters of such earth-shattering importance as the T.V. viewing of the initial landing of man on another world, and the visit of Miss Australia to our school…” – A.K. Allan, Principal (1969). Artwork by Mrs Casey.

Apollo 11


Apollo 11 restored Moon footage

3D Apollo
Apollo display at the Smithsonian Institute’s Air & Space Museum, 1984

Apollo astronauts
The same display at the Smithsonian Institute’s Air & Space Museum, 2013

Apollo buggy
Lunar rover at the Smithsonian Institute’s Air & Space Museum, 2013. Identical vehicles were used in the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions.

Space school!

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Our Stage 2 students have commenced a unit of work in science & technology, “Space”. These Youtube video clips will be useful in our initial brainstorming activities.


The Solar System – Space School


Space School – The Sun


Star size comparison HD


Space School – The Moon


Day and night on Earth


First Moon landing 1969

Here are two websites for online research, Planets for kids and The nine (8) planets: just for kids (now updated to reflect Pluto’s change of status)

Evidence of water, which was once flowing on Mars, recently found: HERE.

The kookaburra who stole the moon

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This week’s Dreaming story for Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 is “The kookaburra who stole the moon”.

The picture book I usually use for this week’s theme is packed away while the library is being built, so I went looking online instead. Slim pickings on the story itself, although there is a travelling show that’s been around since NAIDOC Week. If only. However… our Youtube resources include:


Kookaburra calls.


First moon landing, 1969.


Apollo 11 on the Sea of Tranquility.


Bunny hopping on the moon – Apollo 17.

Other useful Apollo 11 links are here and here.

Happy Anniversary, Apollo 11!

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Wow!

I’ve spent the last few weeks demonstrating some of the joys of my school’s new interactive whiteboard (IWB), and browsing on Google Earth has been addictive for most of the school’s population.

But, in similar vein, NASA has just released some very cool pictures from their Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (or LRO), which has returned its first imagery of the Apollo moon landing sites, just in time for the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. “The pictures show the Apollo missions’ lunar module descent stages sitting on the moon’s surface, as long shadows from a low sun angle make the modules’ locations evident.”

Apollo 11

The online comments added by moon hoax conspiracy theorists are hilarious.

I really liked the appended comment from a NASA Moderator: “This is just the first glimpse of many more images to come. When we’re in the operational orbit of only 31 miles, resolution should be two to three times better, and we should be able to get the right lighting conditions to identify the rovers.”

All images credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University.

Boy, sitting in the school hall watching a fuzzy black and white television in 1969 (Year 5) at Arncliffe Primary School seems sooooooo long ago, but it also seems like it was only yesterday. It’s frustrating we are currently on vacation and unable to make use of the anniversary with students this week.

Apollo 14

Also worth checking out: The Moon in Google Earth